Authors Notes: - Yeah, yeah, not much happens in this chapter but its setting things up. It took me a while to write because I had to keep looking things up. It's been so long since I've played the game so I was slightly fuzzy on details. Anyway, I guarantee this will be a very original fan fic :)

My Beloved Squid

"Fuck!" Cid yelled pushing himself out from under the plane. He jumped to his feet and kicked it as hard as he could. The side of it dented slightly and he growled in pain. He turned and hobbled into the house, trying not to act like he actually hurt his foot, even though it throbbed painfully.

"Shera! Shera!" He bellowed, his voice carrying easily through the small house. "Get over here!"

She walked out of the kitchen and gave him a curious look. "What is it Captain?"

"Get me some bloody tea." He ordered, flopping down at the table.

"The repairs not going well?" Shera asked as she ducked back into the kitchen to retrieve the tea.

"No shit." Cid snapped, looking down at his foot. "Stupid plane." He mumbled.

"I'm sure you'll have her flying soon." Shera said walking out of the kitchen. She placed the pot of tea on the table and poured him a cup.

"I'm this close to giving up." He said holding his thumb and forefinger an inch apart with one hand while he picked up the cup with the other. "The blasted thing is full of rust, barnacles and a few bullets."

"You shouldn't get too caught up with the Bronco today, remember that Cloud was coming to visit." She reminded him as she disappeared back into the kitchen.

"Fuck!" He pounded the table with his first. "I forgot!"

"I'm sure you have time to get ready." Shera said casually, ignoring his temper tantrum like she always did.

"Get ready?" Cid snorted. "That's not what I'm worried about."

She peered out of the kitchen and looked at him oddly. "Then what is it?"

"The pointy headed bastard wants me to fix of the Airship and I don't have all the parts ready." He got back to his feet and limped outside. "Work, work, work, that's all I fucking do any more."

Cid rounded the house and paused beside the remains of his prized airship. It could still fly, barely, and badly needed numerous repairs. The exterior was scorched and dented from it's last flight. He sighed slightly. It had been over a year since the meteor had crash landed and he'd only had time to occasionally work on the Highwind. Now that he was world famous people were coming out of the wood works with things needing to be fixed. He figured the only benefit was that he could use the money to build a new space ship, a better one and truly fulfill his dream. A rumbling growl pulled his attention away from his ship and to the small dirt road leading up to his house.

A plum of dust rose into the sky on the heels of Cloud, atop his favorite toy. Cid rolled his eyes and walked over to greet him. The massive low slung bike rolled to a stop and Cloud stepped off and put down the kick stand.

"Hey." He said to Cid in his normal even tone.

"Hey." Cid replied in a gruffer voice.

"How is the Highwind doing?" Cloud asked as he walked past Cid towards the object in question.

"It isn't easy getting parts for an air ship. They're hardly a dime a dozen, unlike your little bike there." Cid remarked around his cigarette, jerking a thumb towards Cloud's bike.

Cloud glared at him mildly and looked back to the ship. "How much longer will it take?"

"What's the rush? It's not like we're racing to save the world anymore." He snorted, walking over to his side.

"There are things I want to do..." Cloud said softly, keeping his eyes on the once gleaming vessel before them.

"Give it up Cloud, she's dead." Cid snapped, turning away.

"You don't know that." Cloud said with soft conviction, his fists clenching tightly.

"Fucking hell man, I was there! I saw her get run right through the middle! Besides, you got Tifa, why do you need to go running after a dead woman!" He yelled at the former soldier.

"Just finish fixing it alright!" His friend hissed. "I gave you what you wanted now you have to keep up your end of the bargain."

Cid threw aside his cigarette and gave Cloud a look of death. "Don't order me around boy, I had enough of that from Shinra. I'll finish fixin' her when I'm good and ready. I do have a dozen other projects lined up ya'know!"

"Then hire an assistant." Cloud suggested walking towards the house.

"I would but they'd probably be just as useless as Shera!"

Cloud ignored him and walked inside. Shera greeted him with a smile and a nod. He silently returned it and took a seat at the table. She put the finishing touched on lunch and sat the stew on the table before Cloud.

"I made this especially for you, I know how much you like corn chowder." Shera remarked as she went back into the kitchen.

"I don't know how you put up with that man." Cloud said as he dipped his spoon into the thick chowder and stirred it slightly.

"It's a learned talent." She chuckled, coming back out with a new pot of tea.

"One I don't think I have the patients to learn." He mumbled, taking a bite.

"He's all spit and fire but deep down he's a nice man." Shera smiled wistfully and sat down, watching Cloud eat.

"Maybe I should send Vincent over, he's been at a loss for what to do." Cloud suggested in between bites.

"Did they even get along?"

He shrugged a little. "I think I saw them speak to each other twice. Neither one yelled so that could be taken as a good sign."

"The company could be nice. He has been more irritable lately, I think it's because of his personal project keeps being put on the back burner." Shera sighed and poured herself a cup of tea and refilled Cloud's.

"He still plans on going into space?" Cloud asked in disbelief.

The kitchen door snapped shut and Cid glared at Cloud. "What's that sayin', pot callin' the kettle black?"

Cloud didn't look up from his soup and kept eating. Cid sat down on the other end of the table and kept eyeing him with a scowl. "You think I'm fucking nuts for wantin' to go into space, and I think you're fucking nuts for huntin' after a dead girl. So we're even."

Shera got up and made Cid a bowl of chowder. She sat the dish down in front of him and poured him tea. Then she silently returned to her seat and watched the two of them.

"I hate corn chowder." Cid barked, but dug into his meal with no less gusto than he ever ate with.

"I made if for Cloud." Shera explained gently.

"I still fuckin' hate it." He grumbled.

"How is your 'project' coming along?" Cloud suddenly asked, finishing off his lunch. Shera took the bowl and went back into the kitchen.

"I finally figured out how to power the bastard and got it running... I just need to finish the body." Cid mumbled and pushed his plate away.

Shera reappeared and place a new bowl of Chowder down for Cloud and retrieved Cid's plate, first she gave them both refills on their tea. Then she left again, and stayed out of the room to give them their privacy.

"I never figured you'd succeed." Cloud remarked.

"What the fuck are you talking about?" Cid replied angrily.

"Mako energy is one thing, but using materia as a power sours is another." He said with a slight shrug.

"I know more than you think." Cid said standing up. "Now if you'll excuse me I've got real work to do."

Cloud watched him leave and noticed the limp. He raised an eyebrow but Cid steadfastly ignored him. Shrugging he finished off his second bowl and got up as well. Shera stepped back into the room and gave him a curious look.

"Thanks for the lunch, but I should go before he gets really upset." Cloud smiled weakly and nodded to her.

"It was nice to see you again Cloud, say hi to Tifa for me." She waved a little as he left.

"I will." He said waving over his shoulder.

*                      *                      *