Show's Over

[I'm seeing a lot of good ideas, especially in regards to Jessie. I'm not ignoring them, it's just that I already know where this train is going and there's no getting off it. It's not impossible that I revisit things at a later date to incorporate those suggestions into new branches, but in the mean time if some industrious soul wants to make make those additions they are more than welcome to.]

Tifa's legs shook then gave out. She was weightless for a moment, then came crashing down into a pair of arms. Cloud had caught her before she hit the ground. She was acutely aware of the rough leather of his gloves and his prickly sweater against her skin. Tifa was also acutely aware that she was naked in Cloud's arms, and he was staring at the ceiling.

On the one hand, was happy that Cloud was trying to be respectful to the last shreds of dignity that Tifa pretended she still held onto. But there was part of her, a larger part of her than she wanted to knowledge, that remembered how good just that small, quick glance from him had made her feel. And that part of her wanted to grab his face and make him look.

Before she could, he stood her up and began to shunt her away and towards the storage closet she had stripped in. While he did that, AVALANCHE began to clear the bar.

"Alright, shows over folks!" Biggs struggled to be heard over the boos of the bar patrons.

"Go the hell home!" Barret barked, and everyone quieted. With the main attraction no longer in sight, the crowd quickly cleared. The freedom fighters professed their profound appreciation to Tifa though the door, then began to leave.

"Cloud?" Tifa called out as she heard retreating footsteps.

"Uh...yeah?" His voice was muffled though the wooden door.

"Please don't go." She sounded weaker and more **** than she wanted to.

"Okay." His footfalls stoped and Tifa collapsed onto the floor. She drew her knees up to her chest and rested her head on them. And cried. Tears of humiliation, and frustration, and anger, and embarrassment. All the feelings she had been ignoring all night came flowing out in hot tears as she sat curled up in a ball, naked in the dark.

"Are you still there, Cloud?" Tifa asked cautiously after she calmed down. She stood up and pressed herself against the door.

"Yeah," He sounded close, like he was leaning against the door.

"Thank you for staying," Tifa smiled. "Even though I'm sure you must hate me now." After what she had done, debased herself for money, how couldn't he? She did. There was a long pause before Cloud spoke.

"You did what you had to, for a cause you believe in." His cadence was stilted and awkward. It's how he sounded whenever he was trying to sound cool. "I could never hate you for something like that."

"Thanks," Tifa sighed in genuine relief. "I really needed to hear that. I'll be out in a minute." She wiped her eyes one last time and finally got dressed.

[contributions to this thread are more than welcome]