A/N: This is a very short story that I decided to put up. hope you enjoy! XD

Chapter Rating: R/NC-17

Pairing: Vincent/Tifa

Genre: Romance/Angst/Drama

Description: He'd spent more time than needed atoning for his sins, and it was finally time for him to rest in peace. But when he leaves everything behind… what if he left behind something that was more precious to him than he had ever wanted to admit...

To Never Love Again

Chapter One: Landslide

"Vincent," Tifa called out as she searched the area. She became worried as she searched through the rubble and deserted buildings of Midgar, but found no sign of him. "Vincent, can you hear me?" Then, Tifa heard footsteps. "Vincent? Is that you?" Slowly, whatever or whoever it was drew closer until she could feel a presence behind her that made the hairs on the back of her neck stand up. "Vince…" when she turned around a Deep Ground soldier stood before her, the barrel of his gun pointed at her forehead.

"Is that that freaks name?" A wicked smile graced his lips. "That monster?"

Tifa's eyebrows furrowed. "The only monsters are all of you."

His head tilted to the side. "Maybe you didn't see that thing defeat Omega like everyone else did. I've dealt with a lot of beings throughout my years, but I've never seen anything like that. That Valentine guy is a monster."

She could care less about what this man thought about Vincent, because she knew how Vincent really was. Underneath that stoic disposition laid a kind hearted man that liked kids and helping Tifa at her bar when he saw that she was over working herself. "Are you done? Because I have more important things to do."

The Deep Ground soldier snarled when she passed by him without a care in the world for the weapon he had held to her head. "You won't find him… alive…"

She paused.

"… because I made sure he was dead."

Her eyes widened as she stared at the ground. Vincent? Dead? No. It… he… couldn't be…

Before she had the chance to fully register what the Soldier had said a bullet went flying past her, slicing off a couple stray strands of her hair on its journey before piercing the soldier directly in the middle of his forehead. As her eyes darted up to look at the figure that leaned on the wall before her, a gasp escaped her lips. "Vincent…"

"Fool," he said as he pressed his face into the wall in an attempt to keep himself up as he gripped his side with his free hand, panting. "Never… turn your back… on an… enemy..."

Within moments she was by his side. "Leviathan, Vincent. Are you okay?"

He slid down the wall to his knees. "So… tired…" his bandanna and cloak were gone, and his upper torso naked. This man… how could anyone call a man as gorgeous as Vincent was… a monster?

She gently removed his hand from his side, revealing a deep gash that was slowly healing on its own. At the rate it was healing, Vincent would most likely die from massive blood loss. "Vincent, I need to heal the wound."

Staring at her with half lidded eyes, he positioned himself so that she could have better access to the injury. "Poisoned… slows down… the healing…" when he glanced at the now dead Deep Ground soldier, Tifa didn't need any further explanation.

After casting Cure which helped a little bit and Esuna, she reached into her pocket for her cell phone, and dialed Cloud's number.

"Hey, any luck," he asked.

"Yeah. I found him. He's hurt pretty bad."

"Alright. Where are you?"

"On the east side of the Shinra building."

"I'm on my way."

"Cloud."

"Yeah?"

"Hurry."

That was more than six years ago.

X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X

Tifa stared up at the house, a sigh escaping her lips. There was no denying it. This was the place. Of course, unless, the lady had given her the wrong directions. Tifa didn't even understand why she had come all this way. To yell at him, hit him, cuss at him for leaving and making everyone worry?

"This is the last time we'll see each other. My job is done and the world is at peace. I am no longer needed," He'd told her when she'd caught him packing his things, his facial expression colder than ever. "Don't look for me. That's a warning."

What the hell did that mean? Don't look for me. That's a warning. Her fists clenched as she thought about how much he irritated her. Never had she known such an aggravating or complicated man. He had the ability to make you feel hopeless when partnered in a battle and when trying to achieve a friendship with him. Then he had just packed up and left as if they hadn't mattered to him at all.

"Hm. A young looking guy with long black hair, you say?" the owner of the hotel down the road had asked. "I don't think…"

How could she have forgotten to ask about the most obvious thing about him? "He has red eyes and they're really noticeable and intense. Have you seen anyone with eyes like that?"

The ladies eyes widened. "Actually, I have. There's a handsome young man that lives in a house up the street. He has enticing red eyes, but his hair is short."

Tifa's eyebrow rose. "Short?" You cut your hair?

"Are you his girlfriend or wife? I've always been concerned about him because no one ever visits him and he seems like a rather distant person."

That's Vincent. "Uhm, no, I'm just a friend," Tifa said with a smile. "You said he lives up the road right?"

"That's right."

"Thanks," she said and left the hotel.

So now she stood outside of the house staring at it. She was actually kind of surprised. The atmosphere surrounding the house was rather peaceful compared to Shinra Mansion. It was something she definitely hadn't expected. Something was wrong though. The inside of the house was completely dark from what she could see, but she could almost feel his presence nearby. Close enough for him to be breathing down her neck.

Shuddering at that thought, she made her way to the front door and quietly, slowly turned the handle. Locked. She pulled out the hairpin in her pocket and tried picking the lock. This better work Yuffie.

After a few tries the door finally swung open. She made it a point to be as quiet as possible knowing how good Vincent's senses were. However, it only took five steps into the house before she felt the barrel of a gun being pressed against the back of her head and the front door closing behind her.

"Hey. Wait a minute..," Tifa trailed off while holding her hands up, her own senses activated. She took the time she could to observe her surroundings. Nothing but darkness, and no one has ever been able to sneak up on her like that but Vincent. How could she be so sure though? She needed some kind of sign. Then, the barrel was pressed even more into the back of her head and her eyes widened. Three barrels. "Vincent."

"You never were good at following directions," his deep voice sounded. He had known she was coming.

She tried to turn around to face him but paused when he cocked his gun. She took that as a sign that moving wouldn't be the best idea right now. "What then? Are you going to shoot me? Your comrade who fought by your side? Can you do it, Vincent? Can you take the shot?" When he didn't reply, she had actually thought that he would but then the pressure against her head was gone and she heard the sound of a heavy metal object being placed on wood. This was the only chance she would have to get back at him and she wasn't going to let the opportunity slip away.

He blocked her punch with his forearm and ducked to evade her kick. But he hadn't been expecting the spin kick she performed and stumbled backwards, his back hitting the door.

She could barely see anything and that kick she'd dealt to him was lucky. Darkness was one of his strengths and it was one of her weaknesses. "How could you just leave? Do you really hate us that much? Were we so annoying that you had to leave?" She suddenly felt exposed because she knew that he could see her but she couldn't see him.

"Why does it matter," his voice was suddenly behind her and she swung at him again only for her front to be pinned against the wall, her hands pinned behind her back.

"Because everyone's been worried about you." She managed to turn her head just enough so that her eyes could meet his. His crimson eyes glowed in the dark just like they always had and half of his body was basked in the moonlight that was coming in from the side window including the line of blood that ran down his chin. He was glaring at her and she was positive that had she been anybody else she would be fully intimidated.

"I never asked for any of you to worry, or for the friendships all of you insisted upon me," he replied blandly, his eyes searching hers.

The fact that he could talk about it as if it wasn't in the least bit important had her blood boiling. She made an attempt to sweep her feet under his but he jumped in time, his hold on her loosening and giving her the chance to break free.

They were standing a good distance away from each other now each waiting for the other to make a move.

"So, am I going to have to kick your ass in order to get through to you," she asked as she cracked her neck by tilting it left and right and then cracking her knuckles. "If that's the case, then I'd be more than happy to."

Vincent's eyes lowered and he rolled up the sleeves of his button up shirt before wiping the blood from his mouth and chin. His eyes raised to meet hers again, as his hand fell back to his side.

"I'll take that as a yes... and this time… don't hold back…"

It was true. He had been holding back, but so had she. "You too," he said with a nod of his head.

It seemed like hours had passed as they stared each other down before they were finally charging at each other. Tifa stepped on one of the chairs to get leverage into the air and jumped at him. However, she wasn't fast enough to perform the attack she had planned and he caught her in mid air, his hand gripping her throat. As a counter attack she gripped his arm and used her legs to wrap them around his arm and neck.

When his grip around her throat tightened, so did her thighs around his head. "Give up. You can't win." His free hand gripped one of her thighs and tried to pry her off of him.

"Let go of my neck and I don't crush your skull," she warned.

Vincent knew better then to take one of Tifa's threats lightly, but he wasn't one to just surrender either. "I think I have the upper hand here. Especially considering that you're the one suspended in mid-air."

Tifa scoffed. "It's never stopped me from killing anyone before. Besides, you told me not to hold back, right? Well I'm not."

"Save yourself the trouble and just go back to Cloud, Tifa," he uttered.

Her eyes widened. "What did you just say?"

Vincent wasn't one who enjoyed repeating himself, so he decided to answer her question in a different way.

Tifa gasped when she felt her back hit the cold, hard floor. Her hold on him loosened slightly as a wracking pain washed through her body. "You…," another gasp escaped her when she was slammed into the floor again.

He had instantly wished that she had chosen today to wear her longer skirt due to the fact that they were now in an awkward position. With Vincent trapped between her legs, his face inches away from… that hadn't been his plan.

He should've known that she wasn't going to let go that easily.

Tifa, on the other hand, didn't seem to either care or notice their position, too caught up in the moment. "You… bastard…," she panted. "You've always been one to show great hospitality…," she uttered sarcastically. Releasing her hold on him she moved her leg in between them and kicked him a good distance away before flipping to her feet. "Oh, and by the way, there's no Cloud to go back to, because he left. No one even knows I'm here."

"That's foolish," he said as his fingers wrapped around her ankle before her foot connected with his jaw.

"Yeah," she said smiling sadly. "I know. Being a fool seems to be my best occupation lately." When a small sliver of emotion showed in his eyes it crossed her mind that she should stop and just talk to him, but she was so angry with him. Her last hope had turned his back on her, and when he'd left he'd taken a part of her with him.

"Why," his voice had softened. "Why are you being so persistent?" Letting her leg go, he watched as she lowered her guard and simply stared at him for a moment before scowling.

"Why?" She shoved him angrily. "Why did you leave? You were the only person I could talk to… the only one who didn't think I was crazy for loving a man that barely even acknowledged my presence, and only saved me because he felt that he needed to." Tears weld up in her eyes and she pushed him again. "You were… the only one who understood me…"

Vincent's back hit the wall and he stared down at her hands as her fingers gripped his shirt. "Tifa…"

"I hate you…"

He gripped one of her hands and closed his eyes, bringing her shaking hand to his lips. Holding her hand there, he said, "I know."

Her eyes widened.

"That was… what I had wanted… for you to hate me… but now that you're here…"

"You wanted me to hate you? But why? I thought we were friends."

Vincent smiled sadly and released her hand to walk past her and into the kitchen without saying a word.

"Vincent. Answer me," she said as she followed behind him. When she entered the kitchen he was pulling a bottle of wine down from the cabinet above the stove along with two wine glasses.

He silently made his way over to the kitchen table and motioned for her to sit across from him. "It hadn't been my intention to… get so close to all of you," he answered while pouring the wine into the glasses and handing her a glass. He shook his head in amusement when she downed the poisonous liquid.

"What do you mean," she then asked as if the wine had no affect on her and she had just drunk a glass of water.

His eyes darkened slowly when they met hers. "I don't age… but all of you do…"

Tifa's eyes saddened. "You ran away because you didn't want to have to watch the people you cared for die while you lived on?"

"Precisely."

"You could've just said..."

"You know me better than that," he replied while raising his eyebrow. "Anyways, all of that aside, you can spend the night and leave in the morning."

"What? You're still not coming back after all I went through to come and find you," she shrieked while slamming her hands down on the table and standing.

Leaning back in his chair, Vincent replied with a simple, "No."

"Vincent…"

"This is something I have to do for myself," he said, cutting her off. He had wasted more than thirty years mourning over a woman he had loved who had used him and turned him into her own personal experiment. Even though he could never truly hate Lucrecia for what she'd done, hers and Hojo's efforts had rendered him ageless. He was cursed. And even though Chaos had returned to the life stream, Vincent was still the demons host, and didn't doubt that Chaos would return to claim him if his body became endangered in any way. In the end, Vincent was at a loss. "It's long overdue."

Tifa watched him for a moment. He looked distressed and bothered by something. She remembered a long time ago when Vincent had confided in her and told her that his greatest fear was him losing control of his mind. It wasn't until she'd seen him transform into Chaos and the other three beasts that dwelled inside him that day they'd fought Sephiroth that she'd finally realized what he'd meant. Vincent's mind wasn't his own even though Chaos had returned to the life stream and the other beasts were dormant. "Okay," she agreed. He broke their eye contact, his eyes closing momentarily, his silent way of saying thank you and he turned his head to stare out the kitchen window.

After a moments silence, he stood, "I'll show you to your room." His strides were long as always and Tifa tried to make it a point to keep up considering that the house was rather large much like Shinra manor had once been.

"Vincent," she began suddenly, hesitantly as her eyes roamed over the houses interior design. "There's… another reason… why I'm here."

He stopped walking, causing her to run into his back and looked at her over his shoulder. "And that is?"

Tifa frowned up at him when he didn't apologize for stopping suddenly, but then her expression softened and she sighed. "I need… somewhere to stay…"

Vincent turned around so that he was facing her and eyed her suspiciously. "What about the Seventh Heaven and everyone?"

She smiled sadly. "You don't know how long you've been gone, do you? Marlene and Denzel joined the new established military about six months ago which Reeve is the head of. And Shelke… she helps Cid on his aircraft. Barret manages his own gun shop. Cloud's disappeared off of the face of the earth… like usual. Everyone's pretty much doing their own thing now, and with no kids to worry about… well, I don't know… everyone just stopped visiting. Oh, and I think you'll be happy to know that Yuffie became the queen of Wutai." She shrugged. "It's been a couple months now since I closed up shopped and started traveling… and this is where I turned up."

His eyes lowered to the floor as he contemplated everything.

"You don't have to let me stay here if you don't want. I could always find somewhere else."

"You can stay," he replied, his eyes meeting hers. "You're one of the few people in our group that I don't find somewhat annoying." Vincent wasn't one to ask questions when someone he cared about was in need. He just simply provided. If it was convenient, of course.

But what Vincent didn't know was that Tifa had already known that he was going to say yes.

X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X

The next morning after Tifa had gotten dressed she decided that she would cook breakfast for Vincent considering how he'd always enjoyed her cooking. Of course, he'd never admitted to it, but she always knew from the blissful look that crossed his face whenever she fed him.

When she went to open the door to the bedroom she hadn't expected what greeted her on the other side, nor the heart attack she nearly had. "Leviathan, Vincent. You almost gave me a heart attack."

He didn't miss a beat. "It didn't work?" His face was completely serious and his lips showed no sign of curving up into a smile, but she could see the humor in his eyes.

"Ha ha. That's funny," she said and smiled.

The mood suddenly changed, and Vincent asked, "Why did Cloud leave this time? I was under the impression that he had moved on."

Tifa's eyes widened at that and then narrowed when she snapped. "Why do you keep bringing him up? He left. Just like he always does. There's nothing new about it. Cloud's just being Cloud. What's done is done, so drop it, alright?" She tried to stop the tears from streaming down her cheeks when she remembered every time Cloud had abandoned her.

He merely blinked as he watched her, not knowing what to say.

"Am I… selfish for coming to you and expecting you to comfort me," she finally asked.

He remained silent.

"At first, I thought that you were just like Cloud when you suddenly disappeared, but then I thought about all the times you gave me your shoulder to cry on whenever he left. You… out of everyone… were the only person that I felt I could turn to… and…," her eyes widened when she was suddenly pulled against Vincent's chest.

Vincent released a slow breath and placed his hand on the back of her head as he held her to him. "Tifa… I missed you," he confessed.

Her head was resting against his chest. His heart's racing. The reason he'd given her for leaving had been a lie. She'd known this ever since that night they'd shared together on top of Seventh Heaven. That night he'd told her things she would've never been able to guess about him. And the way he'd always looked at her. As blank as his face could be, his eyes would always give him away. The reason he'd left had been because of her.

X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X

A/N: R&R to let me know if you want me to continue! Hope you enjoyed! :D