Tifa sat on the bar stool nursing a glass of alcohol. She sighed as she pressed her palms to her cheeks. She heard the ramblings of her companions talking about past events, getting all nostalgic about their younger days. Tifa downed her drink wishing she had an anecdote to get nostalgic about. She began to feel warm as the liquor dispersed in her body. It was a pleasant feeling so she took another sip.

“Hey, Tifa, what are you doing over there by yourself?” asked the young man named Biggs.

She turned to come across the three individuals circled around a table with smiles beckoning her to sit along side them.

“C’mon Tifa,” urged Jessie, “It’s no fun without ya.”

“Yeah,” added Wedge, “There’s a spot free,” he said pointing to a chair next him.

Tifa took her glass as she went to sit next to Wedge.

“What were you guys talking about?” she asked.

“Biggs was about to tell us a dirty joke,” explained Wedge.

“Looks like I made it just in time,” Tifa remarked with a somewhat sarcastic tone.

Biggs leaned forward on the table with a grin across his face, “This guy walks into a bar,” he begins the joke with the usual introduction, “and the bartender notices that the guys head is the size of an orange.”

Jessie begins to laugh hysterically like the word “orange” was the funniest word in the dictionary. Her eyes begin to tear as Wedge tried to calm her down with a pat on the back.

“What? Is that the whole joke?” Tifa asked in disappointment.

“No. The booze must be making Jessie tipsy.” Biggs exclaimed.

“Sorry,” Jessie said still giggling, “I was just caught off guard with, y’know, ‘The guys head was the size of an orange.’” She took a deep breath and exhaled, “I’m okay, now.”

“Okay, so anyway, this guys head is the size of an orange,” Biggs continues with Jessie trying to contain herself, “So the guy orders a drink and downs it. The bartender asks, ‘I don’t mean to be rude, but why is your head so small,’” Jessie begins to laugh again. Biggs heightens his voice to speak over her cackling, “The guy explains, ‘Well one day I was walking down the beach shore and I found a magic lamp half buried in the sand. So as I dusted the lamp clean a beautiful genie pops out. Man, was she sexy! She had a big ass, big tits, everything! So the genie told me I had one wish and to use it well. She looked so good that I asked her if she would have sex with me. She responded with a definite no. The genie explained that the rules forbade her to have sexual intercourse with a mortal. Then I said that if the rules forbade intercourse then how ‘bout a little head?”

Wedge and Tifa laughed catching the jokes punch line instantly, but Jessie was unclear of what it all meant.

“You don’t thinks its funny, Jessie?” asked Biggs, “You laughed all through the joke and now you’re quiet when you should be laughing.”

“I don’t get the joke,” she said.

“Don’t get the joke? It’s so obvious.”

“Why would the guy ask for a shrunken head after asking for sex?” Jessie asked.

Wedge tries to explain, “The guy wasn’t literally asking for a little head. It was a euphuism as a way of asking for a blowjob.”

“Eww!” Jessie responded in disgust, “Was that joke really necessary?”

“C’mon,” Tifa said, “It was sort of funny.”

“It isn’t when you have to explain the joke,” Biggs said leering at Jessie.

“Sorry for not being perverted,” Jessie said leering back, “Who told you that joke, anyway?”

“Barret told me.”

“It figures.”

Tifa looked around the empty bar and asked, “Speaking of Barret, where is he?”

“He’s at the Weapons Shop with Marlene upgrading his Gatling Gun for the mission,” Biggs said.

“With Marlene in this rain?” Jessie said concerned, “She’s so young. Marlene may catch a death of cold.” Jessie cared for Marlene since the little girl had no mother. Barret was her father who had been raising Marlene since his wife died in a fire years ago. Jessie felt obligated to take the job as a surrogate mother.

Staring into her half empty glass of liquor, Tifa sighed, “Its been raining for weeks.

There’s no sunlight, the streets are wet and dirty. What I wouldn’t do to see a star in the moonlight.”

Wedge sighed as well, “Me too. What if we don’t survive the mission tomorrow? I would have died never seeing another sunset or moonrise.”

“Don’t be so damn pessimistic!” Biggs yelled.

“Besides, Barret will be leading us. He’s never led us the wrong way before.” Jessie said trying to encourage everyone.

“Yeah, but they were petty car bombs and vandalism. Now we’re going to blow up a Mako Reactor. No one in their right mind would do such a thing.” Wedge bawled.

Angrily, Biggs knocks his glass off the table, “What are you trying to say about us! We’re not in our right?” He points his finger to Wedge, “You knew the risks when you joined, and now you wanna bitch when things get too heated!”

Jessie pushes Biggs back into his seat, “Sit on your hands,” she said calming her enraged companion, “We’re all a little bit anxious, but that’s no reason to turn on each other.”

Tifa rose from her chair.

“Tifa, going somewhere?” asked Wedge.

“I thought I’d take a walk outside. It’s beginning to feel damp in here. I need some fresh air,” she replied.

“Really? It must all the male testosterones suffocating the room, but still, its raining cats and chocobos outside.” Jessie commented.

“I like the rain,” she answered as she closed the door behind.

Biggs smiled as the entry shut completely, and was heard to comment, “Man, Tifa sure is a real hottie. I mean, damn, look at those racks!”

Jessie smacked him in the back of the head, “Down, boy!” She said it as if he were a disobedient animal. No surprise to Jessie, Biggs began barking like a dog.

“Idiot,” she finally said.

She had only been out in the rain for a few seconds and Tifa was all ready soaking wet. The now grown woman peered her eyes upward to the bar, and, in bright neon letters, read the heading of the tavern: 7th Heaven. Tifa owned the bar and reminisced on what possessed her to name the bar 7th Heaven. She remembered back when she was a child, while her mother was alive, she was once told that there was a wonderful place where human beings could go that is as glorious as any paradise. It was the borderline between heaven and earth, and the closest a living person could get to heaven without having to die. That place was called 7th Heaven. Tifa found some irony in calling a pub such a name considering all the sins that happen within. Nevertheless, it was her way of honoring all those who died in Nibelheim.

Five years had past since the disaster and she had not received word from any of the survivors…if there were any. If it weren’t for her teacher, Zangan, Tifa would have also died that fateful day. After the episode on Nibel Mountain, Zangan took the injured girl to Midgar for medical attention. The teacher was well aware that his Cure Materia wasn’t going to save his pupil. He left Tifa in the care of doctors at a Midgar hospital. By the time she recovered, Zangan was gone. Why he had just suddenly left was still unknown to her. The following years Tifa struggled to survive in the slums of Midgar. There were people kind enough to provide her with a place to sleep and some food, but she wanted more than a life of scavenging. She was able to save enough Gil to open a tavern. Many interesting people frequented her bar, but it was Barret Wallace who caught her attention the most. He was a brawny, rough looking middle-aged man with thick chiseled facial hair. Barret had lost his right hand in an accident year’s back, and a Gatling Gun was grafted to where it had once been. Tifa learned that he was the head of the underground terrorist group known as AVALANCHE. She didn’t know what grudge Barret held against Shinra, but Tifa had a long hatred for them as well. For the past year she had joined the movement against the corporation with a campaign of terrorism. She was well aware that her mother and father wouldn’t approve of such a decision, and if they were watching her at the very moment they’d be disappointed. But whenever Tifa was in any doubt about her actions she would simply say to herself, “Desperate times call for desperate measures.”

A slight chill rushed through her body as the cold blades of rain packed up against her. Tifa wrapped her arms around herself to gather some warmth. The shrill resonance of a train coming to a halt caught her ear. Tifa thought she would spy on those getting off the locomotive since there wasn’t much else to do around the neighborhood. Maybe there was an unlikely chance she would find someone she knew. By the time she arrived to the station the passengers had already boarded off. Some arguing was heard from afar. She went on to investigate the ruckus. Two men were crossly debating who had the rightful ownership of certain luggages. They seemed to have gotten their possessions mixed, and their fray drew the attention of spectators. The men soon settled their skirmish and were off the scene. Another sound caught Tifa’s attention. This time it was the barking of a dog. She began to feel silly running to every sound that struck her curiosity. Tifa almost felt childish, but she didn’t let the notion stop her from pursuing the clamor.

Lying in a puddle, she saw a man being pestered by a ragged dog. From where she was, the man appeared to be dead. He just lay cold and motionless on the wet pavement next to the train tracks. She rushed to him. The train conductor had already made it to the individual on the floor, and now both he and the dog badgered the man to get up.

“Hey you! Snap out of it!” the conductor yelled, “This ain’t no bed and breakfast!”

“Oh my, is he all right,” Tifa asked with genuine concern.

“Guess so,” the conductor replied, “Doesn’t look like he was hit by the train. Just sleeping.”

On a closer examination of the body she noticed something familiar about him. Tifa swore there was a time she had seen the same spiky blond hair and round face. His clothes seemed foreign to her. His chest was plated with an odd armor and he held a large and broad weapon, which finally struck Tifa’s recollection. Zack had wielded the exact same weapon and wore a similar uniform on the mission to Nibelheim. The one before her was a member of SOLDIER, but it wasn’t Zack. It was-

“Cloud!” Tifa cheered in joy.

“You know this guy?” asked the conductor.

She was certain it was her childhood friend. Tifa knelt down beside him, and held his damp body in her trembling arms. She swayed him softly with all sorts of great sensations flowing through her body. With her warm palm, Tifa brushed the wet dirt from his face. Cloud began to stir with his eyes struggling to open like a newborn baby. His shimmering green eyes mesmerized her as she awed at it with bewilderment. They were like two mystical emerald pools of water. It was a disturbing beauty to witness, and something appeared deviant about them.

“Cloud?” Tifa asked now unsure if the man she was currently embracing was indeed her friend.

“Tif…Tifa?” Cloud struggled.

He quickly got to his feet breaking away from her grip. She kept a close gaze on him. Never blinking, despite the fact the rain was stinging her eyes. Tifa rose from her kneeled position and was greeted with a lukewarm smile from him.

“That’s me, I’m Cloud,” he said nonchalantly.

“Oh God! I thought I’d never see you again,” she said crying.

Cloud extended his hand and gently wiped the tears from her cheeks. With the buckets of rain constantly rushing down on them it seemed like a futile gesture.

“C’mon, I can’t be snuffed that easily.”

Tifa smiled, “I guess you’re right, but, wow, how long has it been?”

The question froze Cloud. He held his head as it began pounding with incredible and unremitting force.

“Five years,” Cloud said very confident of his answer.

Tifa fell silent. To her, it had actually been seven years since they had last seen one another. She meant to correct him, but thought it would be wise not to call attention. Something was blatantly in the wrong with Cloud.

She invited him to her bar for a drink, and to find out more about his experiences the past half decade. When they returned to 7th Heaven, Biggs and the others had already departed. Tifa poured Cloud a soft drink, but he insisted on harder liquor. Florescent lamps lit the corners of the room as light jazzy music added to the mellow atmosphere. Cloud observed the pub, impressed on how well Tifa had faired in Midgar.

She was more than curious to learn about what occurred to Cloud. Tiffa was apprehensive on how she should confront him. A simple none threatening question ought to be suitable.

“So,” she said pouring another shot of alcohol for Cloud, “How have you been?”

According to Cloud, after the incident in Nibelheim he left SOLDIER to become a mercenary. As Tifa listened to him, she was perplexed. Cloud mentioned things he shouldn’t have identified with. Events only Zack or anyone else in Nibelheim five years ago would have known. Oddly enough he never once mentioned Zack. Instead, Cloud assumed his role, explaining how he and Sephiroth eradicated a dragon on the way to Nibelheim, and even recalled the photograph taken together by the cameraman. At the same time, Cloud mentioned things only he and Tifa would have know. Personal things. She questioned in her mind what was unfolding. How was it possible for Cloud to know the events of the Sephiroth disaster if he wasn’t there…unless he was nearby and she just didn’t know. But if that were the case, why hadn’t he revealed himself. Maybe he was in reality Zack undercover, but that didn’t make sense. Tifa felt she was trying too hard to find an answer. Just then she realized there was a moment back in the Mako Reactor when Cloud mysteriously emerged. Like some sort of guardian angel. He held her in his arms passionately as she laid bleeding to death. At the time, she was under the impression she was delirious, but with this abrupt revelation maybe it wasn’t a mere aspiration. Tifa vividly remembered Cloud looking into her eyes with those deep hazel eyes of his soothingly supporting her. But now his eyes were a radiant green. Even so, the change of color could in no way mask Cloud’s unique air from her.

There was no doubt in Tifa’s mind of whether or not the one before her was the genuine article. But there was still the matter of Cloud’s sorted memory. Everything was happening too fast. Her head became dizzy trying to make sense of it all. She concluded more time was needed to thoroughly think things through. Tifa never worked well under pressure. There was something indisputably off beat about Cloud, but she didn’t know what course of actions to take. Her feelings for him fogged any good judgment she would’ve had otherwise. Tifa wanted desperately to remain with him. Her affections were unmistakably stronger now than ever before. She loved Cloud. Not just as a friend but clearly something more.

Cloud revealed he would be leaving Midgar soon. Tifa was in a panic. After seven years of being apart she wasn’t about to let him go again.

“Leave Midgar?” She stuttered, “But you just got here.”

“Yeah, I know,” Cloud replied, “Its just… there’s nothing going on here. Besides, this place crawls with Shinra Troopers.”

With the threat of his departure so imminent, Tifa needed to think fast on a way to keep him from leaving. She brought up AVALANCHE and the job they would be pulling off the next day. Cloud was suddenly interested. His top concern was on how much he would be getting paid. Whatever motives drove these terrorist were their own business. He didn’t wish to involve himself in any of their moral dilemmas.

This was an opportunity for Tifa to keep an eye on Cloud. Watch over him. Hopefully find out what really happened in his past. She would much rather prefer to take things slowly and avoid any negative confrontations. Besides, as long as she and Cloud were together that’s all that mattered. Everything else was irrelevant.

All that was left would be convincing Barret to let him join.

The bar door unlocked. A man with a little girl entered noiselessly so as not to disturb the silence. Tifa looked over Cloud’s head to discover who were the two visitors. The little girl wore a yellow raincoat and was currently shaking off the rain soaked by the umbrella.

“Oh,” Tifa said pleasantly, “You’re back.”

“Tifa!” the little girl yelled delighted to see her. She ran around the bar counter to throw herself into Tifa’s arms. They hugged each other.

“Whoa, you’re wet,” Tifa exclaimed as the dripping raincoat drenched her body.

She pointed the small girl towards Cloud to introduce him, “This is Cloud. Say ‘hi’ Marlene.”

The girl didn’t respond. She refused to make direct eye contact much rather preferring to stare at the floor instead. Tifa placed her down knowing Marlene was feeling uncomfortable in front of the stranger.

“You should go upstairs to dry off,” Tifa said smiling, “I’ve also got some candy hidden in the credenza,” she said whispering, “Just don’t tell daddy I let you take some. He might think it’ll ruin your supper.”

“Thanks Tifa,” Marlene gleefully said kissing her on the cheek. The girl skipped up the stairs humming her childish melody.

“Marlene is very shy around strangers,” Tifa said trying to justify the child’s muteness. Cloud couldn’t care any less.

Barret advanced to the bar counter.

“So, who’s this?” Barret asked referring to Cloud.

“Oh, Barret, you wont believe this,” Tifa stated in excitement. “After so many years, I’ve finally found my childhood friend, Cloud. I’ve mentioned him a couple times to you.”

Barret folded his arms and gruffly responded, “I don’t recall.”

“Anyway,” Tifa said, “I was wondering if he could join us on the mission tomorrow?”

“What!” Barret cried horrified, “You told’em? I don’t know this guy from a hole in a wall, and you let’em on our plans.”

“Settle down, Barret,” Tifa said trying to calm him, “He’s from SOLDIER and--”

He interrupted her in mid-sentence, “SOLDIER!”

Barret wasn’t pleased. All his life he and his family in Corel Village had been lied to and exploited by the Shinra Corporation. The company burnt his village down to its foundation because it was believed that its citizens were actually rebels in disguise. It was an unfound rumor, but with the war against Wutai was so heated, and the company’s future unlikely, it was concluded that such a rumor should not be taking lightly. Barret lost his right hand after it had been shot off while trying to rescue a friend, but his daughter survived unharmed. Sadly, his wife was not spared. Vowing revenge for those who died in the fires of Corel, Barret moved to Shinra’s base of operations in Midgar. Promptly beginning his terrorist campaign against the mega-conglomerate under the guise of AVALANCHE.

Now the day drew near in which AVALANCHE would make a major dent in Shinra, Inc. where they would obliterate Mako Reactor No. 1. No human had ever dared to accomplish such a feat for the simple reason everyone feared Shinra.

The plan was going perfect until Tifa had to introduce the stranger, and divulge all of their secrets. Barret was furious. He didn’t trust a single person and was viciously suspicious of everyone.

“SOLDIER!” Barret yelled, “They are part of Shinra. How’d you know this spiky-ass fool ain’t no goddamn spy?”

“Please just--”

Tifa was interrupted again, this time by Cloud who violently slammed his glass cup on the counter.

“Tifa,” Cloud said, “Don’t bother. I’m out of here. I don’t need this.”

He got up from the stool and started towards the exit. Tifa quickly cut him off and barred him from leaving.

“Cloud, wait!” Tifa said urging him not to depart.

“Hell, Tifa, let ‘is ass go,” he said, “We don’t need’em!”

“Don’t leave,” Tifa said disregarding Barret’s comment, “Let me convince him.”

Cloud didn’t respond. He just leered at her with his green Mako eyes.

Now going to Barret, Tifa tries to plead her case, “He’s very strong,” was her only argument. Barret was not swayed by the attempt.

“He also knows the layout of Mako Reactors so it would be easier for us to navigate to the core. Most importantly, he’s a SOLDOIER. You can’t deny that they are skilled and powerful warriors.”

“I don’t give a rats-ass on how skilled an’ powerful he is. He’s from Shinra an’ that’s reason ‘nuff for me not to trust‘em.”

“Then trust me,” she quickly added, “I grew up with Cloud. I know he’s not some spy. Please trust me.”

Barret hung his head low, “But, goddammit, Tifa,” he said suddenly being convinced.

“Please, we’re hurting for the help,” she persisted.

“’Sides,” Barret said, “Jessie forged only five ID cards. Without’em ain’t nobody passin’ the checkpoints to Sector 1. If he comes somebody’s gonna havta stay behind.”

“Then I’ll stay,” Tifa said.

“What’s the matter with yer mind?” Barret argued, “You’re the best damn fighter on the team. Ya think I’ll jes’ replace you like that?”

“He’s better,” Tifa responded

Barret paused for a moment. He glanced cavernously into her face, “What’s yer deal? Why are you so moved by this damn kid?” Out of the blue, Barret began to laugh.

Tifa was caught by surprise with his sudden change in attitude.

“What?” Tifa asked, “What’s so funny?”

“You have a thing for him,” he abruptly said.

Tifa blushed bright red, “That is none of your business.”

“You do,” he said, “You know what? Fine. If this guy’s that important t’ ya then let’em take yer place. But I still don’t trust’em.”

“Thank you, Barret,” Tifa said delighted.

“Now all you gotta do is catch up to your lover boy,” Barret said walking away up the stairs. Tifa didn’t understand his last comment until she turned around to find Cloud had already left. She went chasing after her friend in the rain. She spotted him striding down the end of the block. Cloud wasn’t in any hurry, almost as if he wanted her to catch up.

“Cloud!” Tifa cried to get his attention, “Wait up!”

“What is it?” he said shrilly.

“Um,” Tifa began, “Everything is okay and we want you to join us.”

“And?” he said.

“And, what?” Tifa asked unclear of what he was questioning to.

“How much will I be getting paid?” Cloud replied.

“Oh, I forgot. You’re a mercenary now,” Tifa realized, “Okay, um,” she began to think of an adequate number, “How does 1000 Gil sound?”

“Not very good,” Cloud responded.

“Okay 1500 Gil.” Tifa said, “Please, we need you?”

“Is it them who need me, or you?” Cloud said as he gazed at her with his wide emerald eyes. Tifa didn’t respond to his question, and he didn’t feel much like pursuing it.

“We’ll talk about my pay later,” Cloud said digressing from the previous statement, “Let’s get back to the bar. You might catch a fever in this rain.”

“Thank you, Cloud,” Tifa said solemnly, “Thank you so much.”

Both slowly made their way back to 7th Heaven as the rain continued to descend from above. Tifa was filled with so much delight of having Cloud back with her after so many years. Gradually, she became less interested in the past. Why dwell on the matter since there was nothing to be done about such things? All she knew was at that exact moment Cloud stood beside her as real as ever, and that’s all that really mattered. The present and not the past.