So here it is, my long planned VinTi. This is the pairing that brought me to FF7 fan fiction and I hope to do it justice. Any advice is much appreciated.

"I think its time for me to move on, Lucrecia. Still, I will always love you." Vincent sat in Lucrecia's cave, looking at the materia-encrusted woman. "I enjoy your company so much that I come here too often. I take advantage of you. I intrude on your solitude and I know you won't respond. I've always asked you for more than you can give and thirty years hasn't changed that." He sat for a moment weighing his words and considering the decision he made. As was his tradition, once he told her there would be no turning back. "Rufus offered me a job today, my old job, and I accepted. You were right, I always was too committed to my work and what they say is true. Once a Turk, you're a Turk for life." Vincent stood and reached for his cloak. "I wasn't going to take his offer, but its time to start over. This time, I'll get it right." He smiled at her and started to walk away. As he reached the corridor leading outside, Vincent turned his head over his shoulder to look at her one last time. A gentle breeze blew through the cave. Although it was late autumn outside, and the cave was several thousand feet above sea level, the temperature was always slightly warm inside the ring of soft light that surrounded the glowing materia. Vincent thought he heard Lucrecia's distant voice echo in the cave. It was softer than he remembered, as though she were fading. There were still traces of Jenova inside her and as she once said she could not die easily. Lucrecia had opted to encase herself in materia as Vincent had chosen to spend thirty years in a coffin. Perhaps Lucrecia was slowly merging with and becoming part of the Lifestream. They were both finding their own kind of peace at last. "Lucrecia, someday I'll come back, I promise."

The echoes became clearer with repetition. "Thank you, Vincent."

Vincent turned his back and silently walked outside, into the daylight.

Fenrir roared into the night, leaving Tifa alone with two sleeping children who did not understand why their surrogate parents couldn't be happy together. She lay in the dark bedroom she and Cloud had meant to share, curled up with blankets and pillows, fighting back her tears. Cloud always came into her life like a whirlwind. He would arrive in a flurry of activity, greeting the children and gathering whatever he needed for the road. Sometimes if he had been gone for a long time, he would hold Tifa close and tell her how much he had missed her. On those occasions, Tifa always believed he meant it and because of those moments, she held on to the hope that someday he would want more from her. He wasn't ready yet but all she had to do was wait for him and her dreams would come true. In the darkness, Tifa realized that no matter how long she waited and no matter how many times she listened to the sound of his bike fade in the distance or cried herself to sleep, it was never their time. Cloud would always leave after nightfall and Tifa never asked him to stay. She thought bitterly that she hardly asked him for anything at all. He didn't help support the children or any of the other expenses of the household, even though she still occasionally took messages and acted as a secretary for the Strife Delivery Service. She couldn't help but wonder if it would have been so hard for him to stay one night in his own bed or in his own house? As the first salty droplet escaped her eye and traced a path down her cheek to settle in the corner of her mouth, Tifa had an unsettling thought. Maybe it wasn't his house anymore. She knew he didn't love her and probably never had. He relied on her, he was comforted by her, and he would probably not know what to do if she left him but perhaps she was confusing her own feelings of compassion with love. Was it possible that Tifa no longer loved Cloud? Optimism was hard to find after midnight and her tears flowed freely now in the silence. Tifa heard the bedroom door open and close again a moment later. Soft footsteps padded across the wood floor and a small shape burrowed under the covers next to Tifa.

"Can't you sleep, honey?" Tifa smiled at Marlene and gave her a hug. She hoped that her voice was steady enough and the room dark enough that Marlene would not realize or try to share her pain.

"Why did Cloud leave again? Didn't you ask him to stay?"

Tifa felt her heart sink into her stomach. How could she answer honestly without hurting the poor girl anymore? "I guess he still has work to do." The excuse was half hearted. Even Tifa did not believe it was true.

"That's why daddy doesn't come home either, right? Will Denzel leave too, when he's grown up?"

Tifa thought about Marlene's question. Every father figure who had ever come into Marlene's life never put down roots. They always said they wanted what was best for her. It wouldn't be safe to take such a young child on the road, and there was the matter of school, but it seemed to Tifa that none of them were willing to make any sacrifices to truly be there for her. Barrett didn't have to live in Corel, searching for more oil fields and chasing money. He said that Edge was a better place for Marlene to grow up but so many improvements had been made in his hometown. Wouldn't it be best for Marlene to live with the man who called himself her father? Then there was the matter of Denzel. Marlene never questioned Tifa about him before. Denzel and Marlene weren't siblings by blood but they were close. Denzel was her brother and her best friend. Patchwork families were the only kind Marlene had ever known. AVALANCHE members came and went before Tifa arrived, then Marlene lived with Elmyra for a time. Tifa and Cloud settled with the girl in Edge after Meteor as both tried to start again. Denzel probably would leave when he was old enough, after all most children do. Tifa knew that was years away and Marlene would be old enough to understand Denzel wasn't abandoning her. He was two years older so she would probably be sixteen herself and itching to get out into the world. But now she was nine, scared, and lonely. Could it be possible that abandonment was what Marlene expected from all men in her life?

It takes most women years to become that cynical, Tifa thought."He might. But that would be different, I think. When people grow up, they have to learn how to take care of themselves. They start families of their own and sometimes they get jobs far away. They move on but never stop loving you."

"You aren't going to move on, are you Tifa?"

"No Marlene," she held the little girl closer and struggled again to keep tears from falling in front of her little girl. "I'm staying right here with you." I'm not moving on but maybe I can still start over if I have enough time before Cloud comes home again. Tifa stroked Marlene's hair until the little girl fell asleep then carried her back to her own bed and tucked her in.

The phone rang early the next morning while Tifa watched Marlene and Denzel climb into their school bus. Tifa sprinted back through the fog and darted inside to catch the phone before her caller hung up. "Tifa Lockhart's Seventh Heaven. How can I help you?"

"Tifa. It's Vincent."

"Vincent, how are you? Is everything alright?"

Vincent laughed softly into the phone. "Must there always be a disaster when I call?"

Tifa found the sound remarkably pleasant and wondered if she had ever heard it before. "I'm sorry, I guess I'm not used to hearing your voice anymore."

"I hear 'I'm sorry,' too often these days. Don't say it. But I suppose last time the world was ending. Again. I need a favor."

"What is it? You know you can always ask us for anything."

"I'm moving to Edge soon. I'd like to stay with you and Cloud if I may, until I find my own place."

"Cloud is gone." Tifa replied, perhaps a little too quickly, and Vincent could clearly hear the tremor in her voice. A second later it was gone. "I'm sorry, again. Of course you can stay. When should we expect you?"

"Tonight."

So soon? Well, this is Vincent. "Yes, tonight is fine. The bar is open late so let yourself in. I guess I'll see you when you arrive."

"And Tifa," Vincent paused. "Thank you." The line went dead. Tifa looked around in dismay. How was she going to prepare for a houseguest in so short a time? She sat down to organize her thoughts and was suddenly struck with an unexpected sense of calm. Vincent was coming and she hadn't seen him in over a year. She could tidy up a bit but he was hardly the type to judge her on appearances. At last Tifa realized she was glad that for a little while, she wouldn't be spending her days in an empty house. Who knows, she thought, perhaps Vincent might even have some advice about starting over without Cloud. She realized that his long standing attachment to Lucrecia did not qualify him to give the most reliable relationship advice, but it might be worth a try. Instead of dwelling on what she could not change, Tifa set about making up the guest room and stocking the bar before she had to open for lunch.

Seventh Heaven was busy when Vincent arrived. Tifa didn't see him come in. She was working alone and definitely looked like she could use a hand. He rounded the bar and stepped up behind her, sliding his suitcase through the swinging door into the kitchen. "Thanks again, Tifa." He gave her a quick half smile then began taking drink orders before she could protest. Tifa never realized that Vincent was such a formidable bartender but he had been a Turk, and judging by the way Reno could drink on those occasions when he and Rude came by, she was not terribly surprised. Under ordinary circumstances, Tifa would never allow a guest to work for her but even if she had half a moment to speak to him she was hardly in a position to turn him down. Vincent made himself at home behind the bar and Tifa took to waiting tables. A quick look around showed him where everything was. His reflexes were quick, his memory impeccable, and in head to toe black he was already dressed the part. They made short work of the line but business was steady and four hours went by before either of them realized that it was time to close. No one dared to make trouble with Vincent in the bar and at the end of the night he stood by the door, arms crossed over his chest while the last customers left without a fuss. Finally, Tifa had a chance to welcome him with a quick hug. "I can't thank you enough for your help tonight, Vincent. We're not usually this busy on weeknights but my waitress called out and you know how things pile up when you're short handed."

Vincent turned the deadbolt and righted several stools overturned near the door. "It's the least I can do for you while you let me stay. You handle this place alone, now?"

"Not completely alone. I have a cook for lunch and dinner, and couple of girls who help wait tables." Tifa was cut off by the disapproving look Vincent was giving to a corner of the room. After a moment, she relaxed a little and remembered why he had come. "I can show you around the apartment upstairs and let you settle in to your room if you want. I've got to clean up down here but you're probably tired from your trip. Yours is the first door on the right if you want to head straight to bed but be careful on the way up. We don't want to wake Marlene and Denzel."

"I will help you here. I need little sleep and after all I am taking advantage of your hospitality." Tifa could find no emotion Vincent's voice and his back was to her as he made his way to the kitchen for cleaning supplies. She smiled at his offer. They set about loading the dishwasher, wiping down the tables and mopping the floor. Tifa was amazed how efficient Vincent was and how quickly they completed the chore that would have taken her an hour or more alone.

At last Tifa and the mop disappeared behind the swinging door. Tifa stepped out of the kitchen with Vincent's suitcase in hand. "It looks like we're done down here. Why don't we get your things upstairs? You only brought one bag?"

"All I have needed these past few years is my gear and a few personal items." Vincent thought for a moment. "I brought several guns with me. Is there somewhere safe for me to keep them, away from the children?"

"Cloud kept all of his weapons with his bike in the garage but I have a small safe under the bar if you'd prefer."

"The safe would be best." Tifa nodded and showed him the combination while Vincent opened his suitcase to reveal Cerberus, Death Penalty and an assortment of other gun parts packed neatly under his trademark gold claw and red cape. He carefully moved the guns into the safe and locked it. "My unpacking is complete."

"You always did travel light, Vincent." Tifa shook her head and smiled. Although it was very late, Tifa found that she was unwilling to say goodnight to her houseguest and she was curious about his new found employment. Vincent, likewise, was most comfortable in the night hours and was more than willing to stay up to talk with her. "Can I get you anything to drink?" she asked. "Are you hungry at all?" Eventually they decided on a bottle of port wine and settled into one of the corner booths.

"So what's this job you mentioned?" asked Tifa as she expertly filled their glasses.

"Bodyguard duty mostly but there's some investigative work involved and some public relations." Vincent's Turk training would never allow him to betray the nervousness he felt explaining his job. Lucrecia understood his decision because she never knew him as anything but a Turk and she worked for Shinra herself. However, Vincent hesitated to tell any of his new friends what he had agreed to do. Turk and AVALANCHE methods weren't so different and at least we had a purpose other than terror. "The company and the job have changed a lot in the last few years, but I think I'm still qualified."

Tifa looked confused for a moment and decided to try a different approach. "Then you'll be living here in Edge?" Vincent found her smile reassuring.

"There will be some travel but Edge will be home base and I want to spend as much time here as work will allow. I've decided that its time to settle again and stop living out of hotels." And caves.

"It sounds perfect for you. Very balanced. What's the company?"

Vincent took a deep breath. There was no backing down now but in his apprehension he couldn't help but wonder how strong their friendship really was. "It's Shinra. I'm going back to work as a Turk." One could argue that I never left.

"The Turks! But are you sure that's…" Tifa's eyes went wide with fear but he caught her gaze in his and there was something soothing about it. He was still the same Vincent she had always known. She spoke more softly and he recognized the concern in her voice. "Vincent, be careful, okay?"

"I will." He returned her gaze then practically without realizing he did it, Vincent reached out to her and pulled her to his chest. Tifa wrapped her arms around him and rested her head on his shoulder.

"I know it's your decision, Vincent, and I won't judge you for it." She was warm and her hair was soft against his chin. Vincent took a deep breath and let its scent relax him. Suddenly Vincent realized the position that they were in. It was completely natural, a long overdue hug between two old friends, but there was something about it that troubled him. Butterflies churned in his stomach. He moved his hands to Tifa's shoulders and gently pushed her away. Something else had been bothering him and it was now the focus of his attention. A question hardly acknowledged at first, but which started to burn a hole in his mind as soon as he set foot in Tifa's bar. It was a question that might drive him mad, but now was not the time to ask it.

"You are too good to me, Tifa." His eyes were downcast as he took a long drink from his wine glass. Tifa refilled it.

"What made you go back?"

"Kadaj, perhaps. Or Turk loyalty. I had been watching the silver haired trio since they first appeared in the desert two and a half years ago. I've kept an eye on the Turks and the rebirth of Shinra for much longer. I suppose it was presumptuous of me to assume that my actions went unnoticed. Rude found me and gave me a message. Rufus wanted me to go after Tseng and Elena when they were held in the Forgotten Capital. I could not refuse. It's not hard to guess who provides the WRO with their financial backing. Back when we were still chasing Sephiroth, after Meteor appeared and Weapon emerged from the Planet, Shinra and AVALANCHE were already working towards the same end using only slightly different means. I'm formalizing a job I've been doing unwittingly for four years but I'm starting over as well. Shinra has changed, I've changed and its time my life reflects that."

As she topped off their glasses, again, Tifa mused that she had learned more about Vincent in half a bottle of wine than she had in all the years they had known each other. She swirled her glass and looked into the crimson liquid. Perhaps it was time she contributed something of her own to the conversation. "Vincent, how hard is it to start over, when you know what you have isn't working out?" Her voice was distant and her head bowed. Although he maintained a cold exterior, Vincent shuddered inside. The question was intentionally vague but he had made a career out of reading between the lines and discovering people's secrets. This wasn't the Tifa he knew and certain puzzle pieces started to come together: her quick answer and the tremor in her voice when he mentioned Cloud on the phone, her evasive response when he asked about the bar, how she settled too easily into an embrace he hadn't intended to give and wasn't sure either of them were ready for. Tifa was hurting and Vincent was sure that he knew why.

"You told me Cloud left." His eyes went dark. "Did he leave you permanently?"

"No, I don't think so. But he never stays very long." She slouched against the back of the booth and drained her glass. He subtly moved it away from her. She was upset and they had already had enough. "To be honest, I was worried at first when you said you were coming on such short notice but I'm really glad you're here. It's good to have someone around to talk to."

"I'm sorry, Tifa." Vincent turned away. "You deserve better." I asked too much of you. I always act without thinking of the consequences for those around me.

"It's not so bad. I shouldn't expect so much of him. He has his own life, his own business, and I guess he needs to be alone now. But if he's happy then I don't mind." Her last words hit Vincent harder than she ever could have intended. She had been there when he told their Avalanche group about Hojo and Lucrecia. She would never choose them on purpose if she remembered. Was it possible that she did not know what she said? Speculation and excuses did nothing to ease the pain of memory. Starting over will take more than putting down new roots. I have farther to go than I first believed.

"Maybe you should." Vincent drained his own glass then stood up.

Suddenly Tifa thought he looked very foreboding and almost frightening. "Wait, Vincent!" Tifa stood, wide eyed, as Vincent retreated to the stairs. "What's wrong?"

He did not turn to look at her. "Goodnight, Tifa. Thank you for the room." His voice was abrupt and had lost all of the softness that had started to creep into it that evening. It was the same voice he always used. Before that night she never would have expected any other but now it seemed cold and alien to her. Vincent took his bag and silently climbed the stairs to the first door on the right, leaving Tifa slack jawed at their table.

Tifa does deserve better but I wasn't talking about Cloud when I said it. And that is all the more reason why I should not be thinking about her.

A/N Thanks again for reading and I hope you've enjoyed it. Reviews are to writers as tips are to waitresses. Leave some love and there will be more to come. :-)