Disclaimer: I don't own anything, be it companies or characters or places or anything. I wish I did, but I don't. Oh well, that's life for ya.

Notes: Hey everyone. If you're familiar with my other fic "I Wanna Go Home" (it's in the FF8 section, if you aren't) then this fic is gonna seem different. Different genre, different style of writing... if you were hoping that this would be another IWGH, well, my friend, you are shit outta luck. Seriously though, this story takes place a year or two after the end of FF7, but I have decided to disregard Advent Children completely. I haven't seen it, and though I want to, I probably won't be able to see it until it actually comes to this side of the pond in DVD form. So for this fic, pretend Advent Children never happened and was never created by Square. To me, it sort of falls in the same group as Final Fantasy X-2 and Dirge of Cerberus: as wonderful as it may be, was it really necessary to create it? Whatever, for this fic, just disregard AC. After I see it I might change my mind and change the first few chapters to include AC-related stuff, but for now, I'll write this as though it never happened. Got it? Good.

Chapter I

Tifa Lockheart was staring at the clock on the wall, watching the hands tick off the minutes and soon-to-be hours. She couldn't believe that she had been sitting here this long, gazing at the clock as time flew by. It wasn't like her. But then again, she hadn't exactly been herself lately. She'd lost her cheerful disposition when Cloud left on a mission to find Aeris. He couldn't accept the fact that she was dead, slain like so many others by Sephiroth. He had told Tifa that he kept having dreams of Aeris, saying she was calling to him from a distant land and was in danger. Tifa always told him that it was just a dream, and that dreams often show us what our hearts desire, but he didn't listen. Instead, he scooped up the massive Buster Sword and headed off in the direction of the Mythril Mines, determined to find the woman he loved.

Tifa hadn't protested, because she knew that if she tried to tell him that he'd never find her, he wouldn't listen. Ever since Sephiroth was finally defeated Cloud had kept to himself. He was never one to open up about his feelings, but he became even more distant after the world was saved. It was because of Aeris, of course. He'd avenged her death, but it didn't bring her back, nor did it stop her death from hurting. Tifa knew that that was one of Cloud's key motives for defeating Sephiroth. Of course, he was concerned that Meteor was summoned and about to destroy the Planet, but she and the rest of her allies all knew deep down that Cloud was hoping for Aeris' revival.

Her feelings for Cloud never changed. Tifa would always care for him, even if he didn't feel the same way. She loved him, but it was hard to say if he knew it. Cloud always was on the oblivious side when it came to women. And yet, even though Tifa and Aeris had both vied for Cloud's affections, Tifa often found herself missing the Ancient. The tears she shed immediately after her death were sincere; Aeris had been a good friend through thick and thin. She didn't consider herself superior because she was an Ancient; she acted just like a normal woman would. She was kind, compassionate, honest... Tifa could see why Cloud loved her.

Tifa sighed deeply and looked to the window. The late morning sun was pouring in, making the small kitchen glow. She herself was perched at the kitchen table, fiddling with something in her hands. She was preoccupied, but for once in the past few months, she wasn't worried about Cloud. She was worried for herself.

I've been feeling so strange recently, Tifa thought, sticking her finger in her mouth and nibbling on the nail. I don't know... I just feel different inside. She let go of the small object she had been playing with, letting it rest on the table. I feel so weak. I can't even bear to head out to the outskirts and train.

Tifa sighed again and peered down at the item on the table. Should I, or shouldn't I? Do I even want to know? It's not like this feeling will go away if I don't...

The phone rang at that point, startling Tifa out of her contemplation. She quickly stood and hurried to the living room, ignoring the weakness in her legs. Pacing herself, she reached the cordless phone after three rings and picked up the receiver.

---

"HYAAAA!" Yuffie Kisiragi screamed as she hurled her shuriken at a small squirrel-like creature. The blades on the weapon slashed across the squirrel's front, and the tiny animal shrieked and fell to the ground.

Catching her weapon, Yuffie glanced around for any more monsters, but all she could see were the corpses of the other enemies she had killed. A few dead canine monsters, more of the little squirrels, and one of these strange bird things... Yuffie had slaughtered them all in a minute or so.

I saved the world from a majorly evil dude, and what am I doing now? I'm killing a whole fairytale's worth of forest animals. Gawd, talk about a step down. Raising an eyebrow, Yuffie looked toward the nearby swamp, where the feared Midgar Zolom could be found. The idea of running in and wasting it was tempting to Yuffie, but she decided to save it for another day. She wanted to get home, for she was worried about Tifa.

Yuffie had been living in Tifa's house for only a month or so, but already she found it to be the best place she had ever stayed. Tifa was always so friendly, providing an older sister role to Yuffie. Plus Tifa was an awesome cook, and meals were much better than what she would be getting at home in Wutai. When Yuffie had found out that Cloud had left to look for Aeris a month earlier, she nearly begged to be allowed to stay in Cloud's room. The begging was unnecessary, as Tifa was more then happy to let Yuffie stay there with her. Of course, Tifa wasn't her normal happy self. Oh, she tried, but even Yuffie could tell that something was bothering her.

At first, the young ninja wrote Tifa's change in mood over Cloud's leaving. It made sense; Tifa loved Cloud very much, but Cloud either didn't notice or didn't care. He was focused on finding Aeris. Yuffie found that positively infuriating. She'd had a bit of a thing for Cloud at one point as well, but now, older and wiser, she thought that Tifa would make the perfect match for him. Aeris was dead, and he had to accept it.

Yuffie herself had changed over the few years since the destruction of Sephiroth. She continued to hunt the world over for materia, eventually returning to Wutai to give her father, Godo, her findings. With the new rare materia, the small town was able to climb out of its financial slump and become prosperous again. Yuffie only stayed in Wutai for a short amount of time despite her father's wishes (Godo wanted her to stay and further her ninjitsu training; Yuffie argued that she had helped save the world from certain evil with the skills she had, so she was pretty sure her current skills were cutting it) and headed east, traveling through Rocket Town and Nibelheim.

She was nearing Gongaga when she ran into Vincent Valentine for the first time in about a year. Yuffie had always sort of had a bit of a crush on Vincent. Totally understandable, considering how dark and mysterious and good-looking he was. He might be old enough to be her father, but she did find him quite appealing for most of the quest to pursue Sephiroth.

They stayed in the inn at Gongaga, with Yuffie wondering why Vincent was traveling. She never asked him, but after a night at the inn, she awoke to find him gone without a trace. She asked the innkeeper about it, who said that Vincent had left before dawn, not giving a reason for his early exit. Yuffie felt rather bitter about this news; she was kind of hoping the two of them would travel together for a while, and maybe she could learn some more about him. Vincent truly was a fascinating individual; she was always curious about what it was like transforming into a monster, growing horns and wings. She had only witnessed one of Vincent's transformations and found it horrifying, yet amazing at the same time.

After a long journey across two continents, she eventually ended up at Kalm to find Cloud gone and Tifa lonely. Not only that, Tifa hadn't been feeling well. During the first week Yuffie was there, Tifa actually blacked out while walking to the kitchen to make dinner. Yuffie found her and helped her to her room. She woke up, and told a very anxious Yuffie that she was feeling better and was sorry for scaring her. Even so, the ninja made dinner that night and took care of all the chores to give her friend a break.

I so hope nothing's wrong with her. Yuffie thought to herself, twirling her shuriken as she walked. Why'd Cloud have to leave her like this? Stupid idiot just doesn't understand these things. Boys, honestly. Always abandoning those who need 'em most.

Pockets jingling with gil she found nestled in the grass, she strolled past the outermost buildings in Kalm, still twirling her shuriken. She loved Kalm, and had always hoped that she'd live here at some point. And she was, with one of her closest friends.

Life is good. Very good.

---

Tifa was in the kitchen again, having hung up the phone after a brief conversation. It was Shera Highwind, asking if maybe she and Cid could pop in for a visit in the next few days. Tifa actually smiled when she asked, and told Shera that she would most certainly enjoy seeing them.

After the final battle, Cid finally realized something: he loved Shera. And, not surprisingly, Shera loved him. It took them a week to get married, another month for Shera to get pregnant. So, now Cid was not only a husband, but a father as well. They had an adorable little boy named Kain, who, at just over a year old, looked like a miniature version of his father, except instead of a cigarette, Kain had a pacifier in his mouth. Actually, when Cid found out of Shera's conception, he gave up smoking. At the time, he said that he didn't want to harm either Shera or the baby, plus he wanted to live long enough to watch his child grow up.

When Tifa heard that, she nearly cried. She often wondered, especially with Cloud leaving, if she'd ever find someone like that. Not like Cid, necessarily, but someone who would give up a vice for her and their children. These days it seemed as though she would be alone forever, save for Yuffie living in the room down the hall.

It seemed as though the last time she felt truly happy was when Cloud was still living with her, but she knew that wasn't the case. Over a month ago... something happened. Someone showed up at the door in the pouring rain, looking soaked to the bone. She let the person in immediately, offered them some tea and something to eat. And that person spent the night there.

It wasn't Yuffie; the young lady didn't arrive at the house until a week later. The traveler that arrived that night was Vincent, who had been traveling the world, trying to live again after all those years of sleeping. He had just happened to be in the area, and thought he'd stop by, considering how Cloud wasn't there and he thought she might like some company.

Vincent always intimidated Tifa somewhat; she didn't like the idea that he could transform into a vicious beast at any given moment. She trusted him, she supposed, but there was just something about him that made her feel afraid of being alone with him. However, she also pitied him; she could see why he was so tormented, and knew what it feels like to have the love of your life choose someone else over you.

Maybe that's why she invited him in and made him tea. Maybe that's why she didn't mind when he held her when she started to cry after explaining the Cloud situation. Sitting at the table, Tifa could distinctly remember looking up at him and their lips meeting, but she didn't know what possessed her to do that. Nor did she know why she didn't stop it when one thing lead to another. Later that night in bed, with Vincent's arms around her, Tifa felt happy for the first time in a long time. It had been magical, and she wasn't going to tell Vincent so, but that had actually been her first time. She had been planning to save herself for when she got married, but that evening it truly felt that she'd get no other chance to be with someone, that she'd be alone forever.

That was why Tifa was so preoccupied, sitting at the table and watching time pass, and why that particular item was sitting on the table. For that item was an unused pregnancy test, still in the box, and even without using it, Tifa was sure she was pregnant. And there was only one option of who the father could be...

cough Yeah, I don't write this kind of fic terribly often, and you can probably see why. What do you think? Please review, please please please. I want to know if this is any good at all. I accept constructive criticism, but don't flame me, because I have someone that'll have sex with your mother on command if you do. Well, assuming you people like this story, I'll make more chapters, and I'm positive that chapter 2 will be considerably more interesting than this. Wow, the only actual dialogue in this chapter is Yuffie's "HYAAA!" Never had that little dialogue in one chapter EVER. Okay well please review. Thank you!