Chapter Thirty One

I think Cloud is a bit confused about Elena, as well as about my new teaching job. I can tell that part of him is a bit happy, a bit relieved that I’m doing something, serving a purpose. I guess I’m kinda finding my place in this strange world.

But another part of him, and a part of me, too, is scared. Elena is new. Elena is different. And in our present state of mind, different is dangerous. Different could be a plan or a trap.

But if Elena is a trap, I can’t see how. She’s a bit hairbrained, frazzled, but means well. Her daughter is quieter than her, a lot quieter. I assume she takes after her father, but Priscilla never mentions him. And neither does Elena.

But Elena has no questions asking me about Cloud, er, Alex, and our relationship...how we met, how long we’ve been dating. These questions that throw me off, because I’ve known Cloud for only a few months at best, and of course I have to lie. I’m trying to fabricate a believable story. At first part of me was afraid that Cloud would freak out about the whole fiancé thing.

But if he is he isn’t showing it. If he’s showing anything at all is that he’s amused at my rather sad and poor attempts to fabricate a life that we haven’t had. He’s also amused at how stressed this makes me, and just nods his head and sort of smirks.

The bastard.

He has no thoughts at all of what this is doing to my poor heart. I’m twenty three years old and he doesn’t even bat an eyelid at the fact that this may give me a heart attack. This stress is ridiculous.

Elena shows up early, as she normally does, to pick up Priscilla. I’m blessed with an adept student; Priscilla picks up the skill much easier than I did. Priscilla is still plunking through a tune, so I show Elena into the living room. Luckily Cloud is still at work. Sure, Cloud thinks it’s funny if I’m stressed out over Elena, but all things holy forbid that he should have to talk to Elena. The only two times Cloud has come around Elena he’s been about as stoic as possible. A virtual rock.

Elena likes to give me crap about that. She says Cloud (Alex) stands so still she thinks I’m marrying a mannequin.

“Would you like anything to drink?”

Elena beams. “No, I’m fine.” Elena tilts her head towards Priscilla. “She’s getting so good...all she does is play the piano at home. She used to be content doing her homework.”

I sit beside her. “I never knew of child who liked to do their homework.”

“She gets it from her father, he’s very smart. That’s why she wanted to learn the piano, for her father.”

I hesitate, opening my mouth to ask the question. Elena sees, and smirks.

“He’s around, well...not around here. He works a lot, and he supports us. Priscilla misses him.”

I look at her. “Do you miss him?”

Elena’s lips press together in a tight line. “Yes...but I understand. You have to sacrifice for the ones you love...and...I know he’d rather be here.”

“Where is he? Why can’t he get a job around here?”

Elena sighs. “It’s more complicated than that, Marlene. It’s just–

A door slams in the kitchen. Cloud walks in, a bag slung over his shoulder, and grease smeared all the way up to his elbows. He nods at Elena.

“Hey, babe.” I say, and I see Cloud keep the smirk off his face. He knows I call him nicknames around Elena just so I won’t mess up and accidentally call him Cloud.

“Hi, Alex. How are you?”

Cloud shrugs, and Elena giggles. “I told you Alex, you don’t have to be afraid of me. I promise I’m harmless.”

Cloud tries to smile but it comes out more of a grimace and I cover my mouth to keep from laughing. “Don’t worry babe, we’ll be fine without you.”

Cloud nods his head, and walks out. Elena and I both try to keep from laughing until we hear the bedroom door close, and for once we actually succeed. I know it’s moot point since Cloud will be able to hear us through the door, but it’s a little courtesy Elena and I try to supply.

“You know Marlene I would be worried about you if I didn’t understand Alex.”

I frown. “You understand him? I barely understand him.”

Elena smiles a little wistfully. “My husband is the same way...stoic, quiet, almost completely business.” She sighs. “I worry about him, not being able to take care of himself...but he probably can take better care of a house than I can. He’s very clean, and meticulous. He never misses a detail.”

I hesitate for a moment. “If you don’t mind me asking, where is your husband?”

Elena purses her lips together. “He works for ShinRa...” I feel myself draw up very tightly, and Elena smirks. “I get that reaction a lot out here. Before the war started I got pregnant with Priscilla. At the time he was thinking of getting out of the business, but once the war started, things got tense. It was fine for a while living in Midgar on the plate, but seven years into the war things got really bad. I knew that he had been fighting with his boss, not the president, but I guess his overseer. He shipped me and Priscilla out to Junon, further from Midgar. He said it wasn’t safe anymore. I didn’t understand.” She pauses, looking down at her hands. “I still don’t. It wasn’t that bad though, we still saw him every weekend. But three years ago...something happened. He was suddenly promoted, and then he shipped Priscilla and I out here. It put a strain on us, to say the least...but...he said it was for the best. I trust him.”

I frown. “Midgar is a dangerous place, and ShinRa is a dangerous company. He probably did what was best for you.”

“He can’t really visit us anymore. I’m afraid he’s gotten tangled up more than he bargained for. ShinRa holds a tight leash on their employees.”

I nod my head. Cloud and I both have had personal experience with that.

“Is he trying to quit?”

Elena shakes her head. “Not anymore. He’s resigned to his fate. I don’t think he’ll get out until the president or Rufus feels that he doesn’t need him anymore. Rufus can be very...persuasive.”

I keep my face blank, but feel an eery chill go up my spine. Elena keeps staring ahead, but I can’t help but find it baffling that Elena called Rufus by his first name...almost as if she knew him.

Priscilla comes in through the doorway. I smile at her as she enters; she’s nothing like Elena in appearance, either. Where Elena is sunshine and clear skies, Priscilla is like the moon, and night. She’s quiet, and her skin is almost like alabaster, but her hair is thick and black, almost like mine, but darker.

Priscilla gives her shy smile. “I finished my scales.”

“Good...well, I think that’ll do for today.” I stand, and Elena follows suit, and I walk them to the front door.

Priscilla is a bit impatient, bouncing on her toes. “Momma, daddy’s gonna call soon. We have to go.”

“Alright sweetie, go on out to the car. I’ll be there in just a second.”

Priscilla skips out to the car as Elena pulls out her checkbook, and starts writing away.

“She sounds excited.”

Elena grins. “She loves her father.”

“Does he ever come visit at all?”

Elena sighs. “No. I tried to arrange it so we could go see him, but he’s very adament on us staying out of Midgar...or even on the continent. He feels a neutral tourist zone is the best place for us...and well, let’s face it.” She looks up, grinning wide as she hands over the check to pay me. “Tseng knows best.”

Xxx

As soon as the door closes I rush towards the bedroom. I can hear the shower through the bathroom door, but I still pound on the door, knowing Cloud can hear me. “Cloud...Cloud!”

I hear the water shut off and a moment later the door opens. Cloud stares at me, standing there with nothing but a towel wrapped around his waist.

If it weren’t for the fact that I’m about to have a freaking heart attack I would totally be appreciating his physique and the nice affect the water on his chest has to accenting the valleys in between his muscles, but as it is I’m about to hyperventilate and really seeing that is not going to calm me down.

His brow lowers into a tight line. “What is it?”

“Elena is Tseng’s wife!” I shout, and begin pacing around the bedroom. “And I’ve been inviting her over here almost every day for three weeks!”

And then Cloud does the most unexpected thing to date.

He nods his head. “I know.”

My mouth pops open. I shut it, but it falls back open, and then I shut it again.

He what?

“You knew? And you didn’t think to tell me? I mean, no offence Cloud, I know you’re a little dense sometimes but didn’t you think that little bit of information would be helpful? I mean, you-you, and I am...I’m– I’m teaching Tseng’s daughter how to play the freaking piano!”

“I didn’t want to worry you.”

“Tseng is looking for us...you know he is! How do we not know that Elena is just a pawn in his plot? He’s ruthless enough to use his own family.”

Cloud shakes his head, droplets of water falling out of his hair. “No, he’s not.”

“And how did you know she was his wife?” And why didn’t you tell me?

“I met Elena once, a very long time ago. I had just enlisted in the SOLDIER training program, and I knew she didn’t recognize me. She never even knew my name. I only knew who she was because I went by Tseng’s house once with Sephiroth to pick up some documents. I was still a regular foot soldier then. I was wearing a helmet. I never even spoke a word.”

I swallow, crossing my arms. “So...you think it’s safe?”

Cloud nods his head yes. “If I thought she was a threat we would’ve left three weeks ago. Tseng...he never makes mistakes. That’s what everyone says. But he made one. He introduced Elena to Rufus, integrated her with the company. That’s Tseng’s leash. Rufus knows what Tseng’s weakness is, and Rufus is never going to let Tseng go in peace. And if Tseng did leave, he’ll go straight for Elena and Priscilla.”

“So we shouldn’t leave?”

“No. We’re probably safest here. Tseng will do anything to divert ShinRa’s eye from Elena, and from this entire area. Like Elena said, this is a neutral tourist zone. There’s nothing here for ShinRa to be interested in. I knew Elena had moved out of the city, but I didn’t realize where until we got here. It’s fine. I promise.”

I frown. I still don’t trust it.

“I didn’t tell you because I wanted you to act normal around her.”

I nod my head. “And if we leave now, it’ll look more suspicious.”

“We can leave if you want to.”

I stare at the wall. “No. You’re right. I trust you.” His judgement is probably better than mine. “I just...it just caught me off guard.”

And Tseng scares the crap out me.

But I vaguely recall a conversation, one between Reeve and Vincent...one that was so long ago.

“You know him; he could be using other means. Tseng was young when he got involved with the Turks, but he was never heartless. I don’t think he protected his family as well as he should have, too.”

“He visited them too often. ShinRa never trusts.”

So, Tseng wasn’t heartless, not completely. But that almost made him more dangerous than he was. He would do anything to protect his family. Not that I blame him. I would do anything to protect Marlene and Barret.

“Tifa.”

I snap back to the present, glancing at Cloud. Now that I’ve returned to a relatively calm state of mind I look at Cloud again. Bad idea.

I’m not very calm again.

I feel a blush rising on my cheeks. “I’m ok now...go back to your shower.”

Before I pounce on you.

Cloud nods his head, turning and shutting the door.

Great. My simple life in Costa del Sol just got a little complicated.

A/N: Sorry this took so long...I've been really busy and I struggled with this chapter ALOT. So hopefully we'll be moving a bit more faster now.

Thanks to Zaz9-zaa0, IWOBYD, Oceanee, Bluishorbs, VanillaCookiesxD, koalababy, City of Dis, iluvkingdomheartz, Skymanhunter, vLuna, Mrs. MaxiStrife, , Iskra Revoir, Onigiri001, HisaAngel, Kainos Ktsis, Amu123, zenbon zakura, Ah-choo, Stryper, Morianne Rose, Oh No It's Mr Gibbles, punkimonkie, Sorrelstar, Raito Akuma, mom calling, caledon, A Mornign Star, everyday-snowangel,

I'll have comments for you guys next time but I'm just too tired right now. Gotta go study now