Disclaimer: Final Fantasy VII belongs to Squaresoft. I only own a few Wotsits.

It had been almost exactly two years since AVALANCHE had defeated Sephiroth, and Holy doing full justice to Meteor. Peace was finally returning to the world, with all traces of the old Shin-Ra Inc. being erased. Towns were becoming the calm, quiet, communities that people desired.

"SHITE!"

Shera sighed. Apart from Rocket Town it would seem. She was very fond of the grumpy man, but Cid's choice language would forever get the better of her patience. Collecting the cups of tea, she wandered back outside.

Almost immediately, the Highwind loomed into view. Cid had taken it upon himself to find out exactly what the Shin-Ra engineers had done to his airship, and instead of just flying the blasted thing and pressing the new buttons, he had decided to take her apart and inspect the mechanics of the new equipment. They were barely half way through the gargantuan task.

Shera walked to the spot were Cid was last working to find someone else standing there.

"Vincent!"

Vincent had become a regular guest at the residence, and, after awhile, Shera had come to enjoy the quiet mans company almost as much as Cid. He had lightened up considerably from the severe man she had met whilst Cloud had been asking about the Tiny Bronco. A dry sense of wit was appearing, much to everyone's happiness.

"Sorry Vince, if I had known you were coming, I would've made you a cup…"

"Don't worry about it, Shera. I'll just drink Cid's,"

Chuckling, she handed the cup over. It probably would've gone cold anyway. And Vincent normally relieved his friend of his tea, somewhere along the line. Looking up she could see the tiny figure of Cid, cursing at life in general. After a moment, he seemed to notice them and begin the long descent towards them.

"So, Vincent, where've you come from this time?"

"Bone Village. Locals said there was a monster lurking around the place"

Shera raised an eyebrow. "And…?"

Vincent snorted. "I wouldn't call it a monster… I've coughed up scarier things,"

"Vincent, don't talk about me like that. It's not nice,"

"Cid, if I coughed up anything even remotely like you, I would start writing my will,"

"Oh charming. Enjoying my tea there, pal?"

"Indeed,"

Shooting Vincent a less then pleasant look, Cid began to wipe of the oil that had decided to part company with the Highwind and join him instead. Reaching over, he liberated his tea from the clutches of Vincent and took a deep slug.

"Aaah, just the ticket. Well, shall we get in before it starts pissin' it down, or do you want to have the wet look?"

It had been over-cast all day, and it finally looked as if the gods were going to let the heavens open. As the trio made their way in, the first drops began to hit the earth.

Navigating his way around the piles of metal that seemingly constructed Cid and Shera's house, Vincent found a room that vaguely looked like the kitchen.

"Sit anywhere ya can, the chairs are propping up Tiny Bronco wings,"

Cid pushed himself onto the work surface, and Shera perched herself on the table. Vincent hunted around for the comfiest looking piece of junk.

"I do not suppose Tifa has contacted you of late?"

Cid creased his forehead in confusion.

"Why the hell should she do that? She can look after herself and Clo…ah. Have I just answered my own question?"

Vincent's expression darkened.

"Afraid so. She told me that he had left ranting about Aeris. After she couldn't find him, she began ringing around AVALANCHE, asking if we had seen him,"

Cid didn't seem all that concerned.

"Oh c'mon, Vince. His done this before. He disappears for a week. Then he comes back in need of a decent bath. Regular as clockwork and Tifa always gets her knickers in a twist about it. You should know, your always the first person she contacts,"

"This is different. Cloud was awake when he saw her… and Tifa saw her too. She's trying to find Cloud so she can join him in the mission to look for her,"

Cid's face lost all of it's colour and emotion. As Cid sat there, his mouth agape, Shera remained concerned.

"But she's dead right? The Captain and you saw her killed… All of AVALANCHE were devastated…"

Vincent nodded, reflecting momentarily. He had only known Aeris for a short time, two weeks to be precise, but he mourned her loss. They all had, and Cloud probably still was, as he had loved the girl. A sharp ring pierced the silence, cutting off his train of thought.

"Valentine… eer… no. Not to my knowledge… Hey! That was uncalled for! Yes, I am… Fine, but his going to like it,"

Vincent passed his somewhat battered PHS over to Cid.

"Barret wants a word with you,"

"Howdy… WHAT?! Forget it, dumbass, I am not gonna do that… WHY? 'cos I said so!... Language… I heard that, too… Look I'm not gonna fly the fuckin' Highwind around the entire world lookin' fer Spike… Because, my thick friend, we wouldn't be able to see him from up there…Huh? Heyheyhey! Don't go!....Bugger"

With a sigh, Cid tossed the PHS back to its owner. Finishing his now stone cold tea, he cast his eyes around the room.

"Captain? Are you going to tell us what's going on?"

"Barret wants AVALANCHE back together, pronto. No exceptions… which, I imagine, is directed at you Vince, seeing as you have managed to avoid all the other reunions,"

Vincent Valentine, ex-TURK, gunslinger extraordinaire, suddenly looked very sheepish.

"I don't mean to. I forget,"

"Liar. I don't know why we put up with you. C'mon Shera, lets get the Highwind bak together. Don't you sneak off anywhere ya lanky git, you can help too…"

A/N: Hello! Eeer… yes. Plot will follow shortly. This chapter was more setting the scene. Did anyone spot the line from FFX-2? Probably, its pretty obvious. It made me laugh though, so it got worked in. Review please! Flames will be put into centres and re-homed accordingly.