Hello, I wrote this story back around 2013 and just found it recently in an old hard drive. I noticed that it needed an ending, so I decided to fix it up as best as I could and finish it off. I will try to upload chapters every Tuesday and Saturday. This is my second story uploaded here. I apologize in advance if there are any redaction or grammatical errors. I hope the character's aren't too OOC. Tifa is a little bit of a worrier/paranoid and a tad bit anxious in this one, but she hides it well.

The events here unfold after DoC, and they continue the Genesis and Weiss arc. There is some very minor CloTi, some Reffie (RenoxYuffie)?, but the story is very much a VinTi.

Tifa faded in and out of her daydream as she mindlessly dried the same cup over and over 'Why do you keep running away Cloud? Can't you see that …the kids need you?" She slammed the cup down. Picked it up, and resumed drying it. She gritted her teeth. 'I just wish you'd open up…' The same thoughts that muddled her head replaying over and over.

A distorted laugh that seemed to come from inside her head yet from outside at the same time made her head snap back in surprise. 'The fuck was that?' She wasn't used to cursing, but she was genuinely surprised. With skeptical eyes she squinted at the door. 'Did I really hear that?' She shook her head and promptly placed the cup where it belonged and picked up another. 'Ha Ha Ha Ha' Wide eyed she looked up again. Her heart started to race and her hand trembled slightly. "Denzel? Marlene?" She called out. She knew well enough that the voice was was too deep to be either of them, but they might be playing some practical joke on her. Cup still in hand, she slowly made her way towards the door. She hoped neither Denzel, Marlene, nor Shelke would come running down the stairs to see what she wanted. She didn't want them to scare away the intruder. She could hear the distant hum of the television set upstairs and she heard no footsteps coming so she set the cup down and made her way towards the door. Her heart drummed in her ears when she threw the door of the 7th heaven open, the slight breeze swaying back her hair. Nothing. She looked up and down the street and saw signs of no one.

She gasped, she sensed it milliseconds too late, the other presence. She was knocked down a few yards to her left, but just as quickly she rolled onto her feet. She reached for her gloves, but the presence was too fast. This time it had her by the neck, dragging her deeper and further into the ground. Her eyes quickly roamed around her attacker. He looked very familiar, but she couldn't exactly pinpoint from where or when, and not like she had the time to either. Her hands instantly went to her neck, but she knew that would never work. He was squeezing down on her trachea with his full body weight. She tried to kick him, but her legs went straight through him. She punched at his head but it was futile, she saw how her limbs just flew right though his skull. She started to panic. Her arms flailed out to reach him, but to no avail. She dug her boots in the ground, her ears ringing. She needed to cough, but no air was going down her windpipe. Her vision started to get blurry and as her predator snickered down at her she thought 'I can't believe this is it, I can't, I refuse to go this way… I…' And the last thing she heard was the sound of a gunshot before her whole world went black.

...

He had decided to pay Tifa and the kids a visit before he headed down to the WRO, what he didn't expect to see was a very much alive Weiss chocking a struggling Tifa a few yards from her bar. He didn't even have time to think it over before he was aiming Cerberus at Weiss' semi transparent body. He shot and it went straight through him. He thought so. He saw Tifa's body go limp and mentally cursed. He shot a few more rounds before Weiss noticed he was there. His snicker faded and in turn was replaced by a scowl. He looked down at Tifa, satisfied at his job he stood up, looked over at Vincent and disappeared. Vincent stood there a moment trying to take in what had just happened. Why did Weiss just leave? Will he come back? Tifa… He ran over to her and kneeled down next to her. He checked her vital signs, nothing. He quickly picked her up and ran into the 7th heaven. He ran up stairs taking 3 steps at a time and threw a bedroom door open. He put her on the carpeted floor and called out for Shelke. The first to appear at the door was a shocked Denzel. Under his arm appeared a confused Marlene.."What's going on?" Before she could register Tifa on the floor, Shelke pushed past them and was at Tifa's side pulling out a Cure materia.

Vincent could feel his heart pounding in his chest. He had to do this quickly or else Tifa could suffer brain damage. The cure materia would retard it, but he knew Shelke couldn't keep her MP up for that long. He found the bottom of Tifa's ribs and started pressing down quickly. He had learned CPR from his Turk days, and was glad he still retained his memory on how to perform it. He tilted her head back and pinched her nostrils. He blew into her lungs and saw her chest rise and fall. From the corner of his eye he saw a very panicked and scared Marlene and worried ridden Denzel. When he went to push down on her chest again, he growled at Denzel to get Marlene out of the room. He felt as Denzel and Marlene's presence left the area. He pushed down quickly and heard something crack. He winced, 'Sorry Tifa… that's going to leave some bruises' . He went to pinch her nostrils again as green flowed from Shelke's cure materia, the magic slowly going down. He could see that she couldn't hold on much longer. 'Wake up, wake up Tifa…'

...

She could feel herself spiraling down a dark abyss. Down down she went, like one of those dreams where you 'fall' but you are in the exact same spot you fell asleep. She jerked up. Everything was white, and there were flowers everywhere. 'I guess …' She felt someone standing behind her. "Tifa…" She stood. "Aerith…"

"What are you doing Tifa?" the voice seemed to echo, it seemed to be inside her very soul.

"I don't even know anymore… can I stay? I am so tired." Tifa looked down at the flowers surrounding her feet. Just like her church.

"No you can't. They need you. All of them do." She felt Aerith's back press against her own.

"… No… not all of them. You know… You know he isn't the one that misses you! I don't understand why he is…" She bit her lip, she felt hot tears threaten to fall at the corner of her eyes. "We all miss you so much, why does he have to keep away his pain all to himself?"

"He wants to be strong for all of you. Yet you have been there by his side no matter what. He knows that. He is stubborn. Tifa, you are a very strong person. You know you don't need…"

"I wish I didn't! Maybe I just am stuck with that promise from long ago. I should just let it go. I know things aren't the same as they once were. But for them…"

"He will come around. I will make sure YOU make sure of it. And as for your heart, sometimes there are other broken hearts that need mending as well. Just open your eyes…" Her voice faded away.

"What is that-" Tifa tried to turn around to look at Aerith but instead was submerged in a cool pool of water. The shock made her open her eyes quickly and jerk up once more. The first thing she saw as she opened them though, were a pair of ruby irises, knit eyebrows and pale skin, right before she knocked her forehead up against a slender nose.

"Oph" Vincent breathed as his hands rose to his nose, tears lingering at the corner of his eyes.

Tifa gasped and coughed, and finally let out a quiet wail of deep pain. She didn't know what was hurting the most, her bruised throat, her crumbled chest, or her scratched legs.

"Don't speak." Shelke ordered.

In one swift motion, Vincent again swooped Tifa up and promptly laid her down on her bed. If she weren't so distraught and confused with the situation, she would have been considerably embarrassed. She wasn't one to show her weak side often, and especially not to the likes of someone like Vincent. She was looking down at her legs with a somewhat vacant look, trying to process everything. Shelke neared her and sat by her side, while Vincent exited the room to make a call to Reeve.

He quickly punched in the speed dial number and heard Reeve pick up after a couple of rings.

"Vincent, what a surprise, you calling me!… Is everything ok?" Reeve immediately sensed the tension over the line and put two and two together.

"Reeve, Tifa has been attacked by Weiss. I don't have much information on the incident yet. Just on what I saw.-"

"What happened? Is she alright?" Reeve quickly interjected.

"I think she is out of immediate danger. But she does need to be looked at. She was… gone for a few minutes." There was a short silence between the two of them, telling Vincent that he should continue explaining what happened.

"I was walking towards the 7th heaven when I noticed Weiss strangling Tifa on the ground. She was trying to attack him but nothing got through him. I shot a couple of rounds at him but he just fled once Tifa wasn't moving…" He relived those short moments in his head, panic surging through him once more. "… I managed to perform CPR on her while Shelke used Cure materia. She finally came around…I think I broke a few ribs though…" He frowned into the receiver.

"Well Vincent, you and Shelke are heroes indeed. It seems like quite a miracle… I wouldn't be surprised if Tifa weren't in some sort of shock right now… I'll send a specialist right over. And I'll head down there myself right after I contact everyone on the situation. I'll send a couple of WRO guards down too. I take it the kids are alright?"

"Yes, they are fine, just a little shaken up. Reeve… Thank you. I'll see you later." He hung up. He should call Cloud immediately, but he didn't want to worry him too much. Just as he thought of this though, he heard the downstairs door swing open. He quickly went downstairs before Cloud came up.

Cloud was setting some packages down on the counter when he noticed the slightly agitated and out of breath Vincent rush down the stairs. He could say he was mildly surprised and curious to see him.

"Vincent… what's up?" He turned to look at him with a skeptical look in his eye, cocking an eyebrow up and tilting his head slightly.

Vincent mused over on how to tell Cloud the current situation they were in. He was about to contemplate telling the man to 'sit down and brace himself' but he knew that wouldn't sit too well with him. His response probably being 'Just spit it out Valentine' or something along those lines.

"Cloud, we have a… somewhat important situation in our hands." Cloud heard and saw the seriousness in Vincent's voice. He immediately lost the curious look and opted for a more concentrated one instead. The 'somewhat' part in Vincent's statement seemed to calm him down a bit, but he still couldn't help feel anxious.

"Tifa… was attacked by Weiss." Vincent decided the direct approach was best fitting of the situation, since he didn't have much time to beat around the bush and lay it down softly.

"Wh-" Cloud had a bewildered, angry and confused look on his face. Vincent cut him off before he had a chance to ask anything. He explained in detail everything that had happened.

"So a doctor should be here any moment?!" Cloud said as he flew past him, looking back as he raced upstairs to the room where Tifa was in.

"That's what Reeve said." Vincent said as he much calmly went up with Cloud.

...

"Teef, you will be fine. There is a doctor coming to check on you." Shelke promised a still distant Tifa. She still wasn't sure on how to initiate human emotion or contact, so she subtly touched Tifa's arm. Tifa didn't so much as glance at it.

'I was gone. I was gone, I could have stayed. I should have stayed. Shouldn't I have? I don't know what I am doing here anymore. Aerith said.. but why is she gone? I should have left instead of her. Everyone would have been much happier. Especially him.. -They Need you, all of them do.-' Aerith's voice reverberated in her mind. She had said it for a reason. Maybe she was right. Why did she always have to beat herself up internally? She just couldn't believe she was alive. That her life could be taken so swiftly away, by a mere miscalculation. Her heart raced again. She was afraid. She was angry and embarrassed. She remembered waking up. She remembered the bright ruby irises looking down at her with concern and then relief before she crashed into him. They seemed so enigmatic to her now. She had noticed them before, staring intently at them from dark corners. But never that near, never that breathtaking. Vincent had saved her life, her heart beat in her ears more loudly and she felt butterflies all over her stomach and she felt anxious. She felt like she wanted him around. What if Weiss came back?

She recalled the moment as she woke up, trying to take her mind off of the searing pain in her ribs. She felt the softness of his lips on hers and her hand immediately went to her mouth. 'What was that about?' Why was she thinking of this now? She never ever thought once in her lifetime that he would ever be that near her. And now he had, and how she dreaded the circumstances on which the contact had come forth. She would dread it, yet relish on it for that had been her breath of life. She was alive thanks to him.

Shelke, she couldn't ever thank her enough, there was no way she could ever repay the girl sitting at her side. And now she felt awful at how she had been treating her right now. Shelke just wanted to make sure she was alright. Still she couldn't help but feel that instead of red irises, she SHOULD have been looking up at big cerulean ones. Ones that had told her long ago that he would always be there to protect her, no matter what. She felt bitter, but she knew if he was there, he would have protected her. But he never was. She had a mixed rush of emotions all at once. Shelke noticed this and gave Tifa's arm a small squeeze.

Tifa looked up from her pensive thoughts and remembered Shelke was there once more. To give her a small notion of the immense gratitude she held for her, she managed to give her a small smile. Shelke relaxed and smiled back. At least she knew Tifa was coming back.

Tifa looked up as soon as she saw blonde hair rush through the door. Shelke stood up quickly and left the room. Tifa's vision was soon blocked by those big cerulean eyes she had been thinking about just moments before. 'Too late cloud, always too late' She thought to herself. Still, she was happy he was there. She couldn't help it. She knew that she would always love him in one way or another, and in turn always forgive him.

"Tifa…" He grabbed her head slightly and looked deep into her eyes, sincere concern contemplating his features. His hand smoothed her hair a little and he went in to hug her. He stopped when he felt her flinch.

"Sorry…" He licked his lips, "There is a doctor coming to see you. You'll be fixed up in no time Teef." His eyes grew dark and his eyebrows inclined towards each other. She knew what he was thinking. He didn't have to say anything. Weiss would pay. He and everyone else would make sure of it. She nodded her head to show she understood. His hands dropped down and he straightened.

...

Vincent was waiting by the doorframe when he heard a knock downstairs. He checked if he had Cerberus with him and started to go down to open the door. Shelke beat him to it though. She had been downstairs getting some snacks for the kids. A couple of WRO soldiers greeted her and they let through a woman in a white robe.

Vincent's eyes nearly popped out of their eye-sockets. He could recognize her anywhere.

"Lucre…" He whispered under his breath. He saw she bowed to Shelke. Shelke asked her to follow her upstairs. They were ascending quickly and Vincent could feel the blood drain from his face, his knees give in. He gripped the wall with his gauntlet for support. He shook his head and straightened up just as Shelke and the Doctor brushed past him. He blinked a couple of times, and he felt her stop at his side. She turned and spoke,

"Sorry, I am Dr. Runa." She stuck out her hand and he could see it in his field of vision. He slowly turned to her catching his breath. Upon closer inspection he noticed that it was not in fact Lucrecia Crescent, but a very stunning reincarnation of her. Somewhat younger, yet breathtakingly beautiful in her own way. She even did her hair in a very similar fashion as Dr. Crescent had. He took her hand slowly with his good hand. It felt nice, yet it didn't feel 'right'. She smiled, and he just stared awkwardly at her. To anyone else it might seem that he was glaring at her, staring her down. So she pulled her hand quickly and frowned.

"That's Vincent Valentine. He's the one who performed the CPR on Tifa Lockhart." At this, Runa perked up again and her eyes glistened in amusement.

"Mr. Valentine is it? I must sincerely applaud at your technique. May I inquire where you learned how to…"

Vincent coughed in nervousness and his eyes traveled down, not ready to tell her about his former Turk training.

"Perhaps some other time then, may I see the patient?" She asked to no one in particular, looking between Shelke and Vincent. Cloud appeared at the doorway,

"Thank god you are here. I'm Cloud… Tifa's… she, she's in here." Cloud stepped aside and motioned the Doctor inside the room. She nodded and went in. Cloud eyed her inquisitively and then turned to Vincent. His face read, 'Is that who I think it is?' Vincent closed his eyes and slightly nodded. Cloud leaned back and finally said "Well I'll be…"

"I know." Vincent frowned and turned on his heel as Cloud slipped the door shut in front of him.

...

"Tifa, hello there. I am Dr. Runa. I'll be giving you a check up today. If you want to tell me anything, please…" Runa took out a small pad of paper and a pen and handed them to Tifa. Tifa had a feeling of De ja vu. 'Where have I seen her before?' She racked her memory to no avail.

"Can you move at all?" The doctor asked her. Tifa scribbled on the paper as effortlessly as she could. 'I think a rib or two are broken.' She managed to scrawl down.

"Ok, I will try to help you down, but I also need you to remove your top." The leather vest wasn't a burden, since it was a zipper down piece. But the white undershirt would come with some difficulties to remove. After a few agonizing minutes, Tifa was settled down and Runa hovered above her. She had taken out some materia, potions, and bandages. She started working on Tifa's bruised chest.

"I have put your ribs back into shape. I'm going to bandage you up now, because the fissures are still fresh and healing. Have someone cast this materia on you for the remainder of the day and you should be up on your feet by tomorrow, I promise." She smiled gently down at Tifa.

"Now for your throat. I've brought some healing ointment. I assume you aren't allergic to anything?" Tifa nodded No in response. "Well then, Put this on a couple of times today, and with that materia I brought, it should be all set too. Just try not to talk to much before hand ok?" Tifa nodded. Already she was feeling much better. Albeit a little drowsy.

Runa was also a psychologist, and she proceeded to test Tifa's mental stability for any type of trauma, memory loss, or shock.

"Tifa, I am going to ask you some questions now, and you write yes, no, or what you feel on that paper ok?" Tifa gave her consent with a shake of her head as she raised herself more comfortably on the bed.

"I know you were gone for quite some time, what kind of sensation did you feel?"

So there is the first chapter. If anyone reads this, thank you, and I'd enjoy hearing your thoughts on it! I hope there are still some VinTi fans out there!