This one is for Ilovefluff (thanks again for the ded). If you haven't read it yet, you should check out her Larsa x Penelo fic "Far Too Long for Friends."
And now for your feature presentation.
As Vincent climbed the stairs to his room, he thought he heard the quiet echoes of his own footsteps. A door creaked on its hinges, perhaps in one of the neighboring row houses. On second thought, it might have been a loose stair. Vincent's head swam with wine and memory. His body was weary from traveling half way around the planet, and he had jet lag. The sun would be rising soon outside Lucrecia's cave. Vincent entered his room, locked the door and dropped his suitcase on the floor. A narrow beam of moonlight shined through a small window. In its light Vincent noticed how carefully Tifa made the bed and laid towels out for him. He groped along the wall for a light switch to illuminate the rest of the room.
"You made Tifa cry," a small but assertive voice pierced the darkness.
"Lucrecia?" Vincent shook his head. That was impossible. "Who's there?"
Marlene's small form stepped into the moonbeam. "You hurt Tifa's feelings and you're going to apologize to her right now." Marlene stood defiantly with her hands on her hips. How long had she been watching them? The girl was smart, perhaps too clever for her age. Vincent thought of the trouble she could cause in a few more years as rebellion came with adolescence. Somehow, he found it impossible to believe that she would be anything but an angel. Likewise, it was entirely impossible for him to think of any response to give her now. Marlene noticed his hesitation. "I'm not leaving until you do."
Vincent recognized one of Tifa's most pointed looks on the little girl's face. "Your mother is a good example." And anyone who thinks Tifa is anything less than this girl's mother is either blind or delusional.
Vincent turned for the door. He thought that if he was lucky he could still catch Tifa downstairs but the bar was dark when he arrived. Slowly, he made his way to her door. Would it be appropriate for him to seek her in her room at this time of night? Vincent considered waiting until morning but when he turned away, a very angry nine year old blocked his path. "Come on!" she insisted, grabbing his hand and practically dragging him into Tifa's room. "Tifa, Mr. Vincent has something to say to you. Don't you Mr. Vincent?"
Tifa rolled over. She hadn't been asleep but after the incident in the bar, Vincent was the last person in the world Tifa wanted to see. Still, he was a guest and Marlene had disturbed him to bring him here. "Marlene, it's far past your bedtime. Vincent, I'm sorry. I don't know what she was thinking."
Suddenly, all of the awkwardness Vincent felt from barging into Tifa's room at night was replaced by guilt for the hurt he had caused his host. "No, Tifa. She's right. I'm the one who should be sorry. Downstairs, I never should have said what I did or stormed off like that. The way I treated you was wrong and you deserve better. I am thoughtless and I've made you cry…"
Tifa interrupted him. "I wasn't crying." She was startled by Vincent's confession but also a little amused. Tifa began to formulate an idea of what had happened. "I was shocked by your sudden departure and I'll admit I was hurt by your change in demeanor. But I've also never seen you open up so much. I know that must be hard for you. I said I'll never judge you and I stand by that. You can't heal three decades of repression in one night, no matter how hard you try." Vincent stood silent in shock. Tifa wasn't angry with him. She hadn't been crying. Far beyond any of his hopes, she understood his position better than he could understand it himself. Marlene stood next to him, still holding his hand, and wearing a very self satisfied smile.
"Tifa, you are too good to me." And I do not deserve you. He gave her a smile and a short bow then knelt to face Marlene. "Now young lady, you have accomplished your purpose. It is time for you to go back to bed." He stood and followed the girl out of the room. When they were safely in the hallway and Tifa's door was closed behind them, Vincent turned back to Marlene. "Wait, I have one more question for you. How did you watch us the entire night and utterly escape my detection?"
Marlene thought for a moment then tipped her head innocently and looked up into his eyes. "I didn't, Mr. Vincent. Tifa is always so sad when Cloud leaves. I knew she would talk to you about him and get upset. I was waiting in your room the whole time. But you'll make Tifa happy again, won't you Mr. Vincent?" She gave him a quick hug then ran off down the hall.
Vincent shook his head and watched her thoughtfully as she retreated to her room. The truth or not, she was very good at bluffing. Clever girl. You really are too smart for anyone else's good. He smiled and went back to his room for a few hours of much needed rest.
Vincent stood, watching Tseng gather several stacks of papers and place them in a folder. At last his superior looked up from his desk. "At the end of the week, Rufus will be taking part in an important trade negotiation on the Western Continent. He wants to be certain not only that a deal will be reached, but that it will be in the best interests of Shinra, Inc. Your job will be to meet with several influential parties in advance and sway their opinion in our favor. Some of these parties are known to you but others you will be meeting with for the first time. I cannot stress enough the importance of this negotiation to the company and I do not doubt your diplomatic skills. I must remind you, however, that our current public image precludes the open use of aggressive conciliation." Tseng handed Vincent a thick file folder. "You leave tomorrow morning. There are two helicopters dedicated for Turk use, anyone in the hangar can direct you to them. Pack for two nights. Your budget and reservations are in the folder."
"Understood, sir." Vincent took the folder. It was heavy, at least two inches thick, but he expected to be able to make it through all of the dossiers before he left if he could avoid too many distractions.
"Oh, and Vincent," Tseng called Vincent back just as he was about to leave the office, "Rufus also loves team building exercises. The old Shinra building is filled with useful information and resources. Find something you can use there. It's our Crucible of sorts so take Reno and Rude."
"I will, sir. Thank you." Tseng nodded and Vincent left the room. Rude was waiting in the hall. Reno leaned casually against the wall, flipping his EM rod in the air and catching it as it fell.
"Looks like it's the old HQ again," Reno said as he tossed the rod higher. "I don't know what he expects us to find. We've been over that place a hundred times." He caught the rod then sent it back up. "Elena practically lived there after meteor-fall. But, orders are orders. No time like the present." He pushed off the wall and stuck out his hand. They heard a loud discharge and the EM rod landed neatly in Reno's palm.
"You're tossing that thing around live?" Vincent stared at his new coworker.
"Got it." Reno smiled and headed down the corridor. A large moth fell to the floor at Vincent's feet.
Rude nodded his head towards the elevators. "The sooner we finish this, the sooner we all can get back to work."
Vincent thought it would feel strange to fight in a suit again, without cape or claw. He thought it would be hard to work as a team with Turks that were one part former enemy and one part total stranger. Instead, Vincent found that wearing Turk blue was like riding a bicycle. You could be out of it for years but there was so much strength and unity in those suits, it didn't matter who was wearing them. Long lost self-confidence surged through his being, even though he never realized it was gone. A Turk in uniform was an almost unstoppable force and they were stronger together. They were also wasted on the few remaining monsters that made their home in the abandoned labs and offices of the old Shinra building.
"If you want to have some real fun, you have to head under the plate." Reno sighed, dispatching a guard hound as it leapt from the rafters.
"The last time I was here, the basement was pretty interesting." Vincent shot two more of the approaching hounds. "Deepground still had a reactor active. We might find some of this 'useful information' Tseng was so eager to recover."
"You haven't learned to speak 'Tseng,'" Rude said, relaxing against a pillar. For the time being, the floor was quiet.
"'Team building exercises, translation: your turn to baby-sit Reno," Vincent gave Rude an unmistakable 'tell-me-I'm-wrong' look. Reno burst into laughter.
"You know, I thought you'd be too old school, cramp my style, but you're all right, Valentine. Drink with us tonight."
"I can't. I promised a friend I'd help look after her bar. She's letting me stay free, for now, so I can't leave her alone tonight."
Reno grunted. "You're staying with Lockhart. What's Spike got to say about that?"
Vincent realized in hindsight how transparent his statement had been. "He doesn't know yet."
Rude raised a suggestive eyebrow. Reno was less subtle. "Way to go, Vincent, and you've only been in town one night. But he's not going to be happy when he comes back to find out you've stolen his girl. Make no mistake, he may be an ignorant fool but he still thinks of her as his girl."
Vincent looked away, yearning for the high collar of his cloak. "It's not like that."
"It will be, man." Rude straightened his sunglasses. "Congratulations."
"Whatever, Valentine." Reno waved his hand dismissively and headed for the stairs. "It's Seventh Heaven for us tonight, Rude. But first, the sweet nostalgia of our own floor 69. We keep a stash of old reports up there. Grab a file for your troubles. Tseng just eats that stuff right up."
"I'm telling you, Vincent, you've got to go in there and grab her. Show her what's on your mind before Spike comes back and shatters your little fairy tale." Reno led the way to Seventh Heaven, hardly pausing for a breath and gesturing wildly.
"It's not like that." Vincent's voice was cold. He didn't know how Rude put up with the exuberant Turk for so many years. "For the last time…"
"Save it, Valentine. If you're not interested then she shouldn't go to waste. I'll show you how it's done." Reno pushed the bar's door open wide, dramatically tossed his hair and walked straight up to the table where Tifa was about to take a drink order.
"Good to see you, babe. Remember us?" Reno grabbed Tifa and dipped her low, kissing her passionately like a silver screen legend. A clever waitress recognized the coming conflict and ran to take over the table.
"Enough, Reno." Vincent growled behind him. "You've made your point." Reno swung Tifa upright and released her with a smug grin. Disoriented, she stepped backwards to catch her balance and Vincent deftly caught her. He steered her past the crowd of onlookers and turned her around to face him behind the bar. Reno's laughter was unrestrained.
"Vincent, what just happened? Are you making jokes at my expense?" Tifa's voice was firm, yet sad.
"I can't explain it. Not yet." Vincent's look shot daggers at Reno, who was sitting innocently in a corner booth feigning shock at Vincent's response. Vincent left his hands firmly on either side of her waste. "Not until they go."
Tifa shook her head. "I can't kick them out. They're some of my best customers. Wait until you see their bar tab. I don't even charge them. They drink so much, I bill Rufus and he takes it right out of their checks."
Vincent unwillingly relented. He knew Tifa was right but he couldn't believe that she would let anyone get away with such an obvious disrespect for her person. "I know. But I don't want Reno touching you."
"Don't worry, Vincent. I can take care of myself. Go sit with your friends." Vincent felt his heart leap as Tifa's hands cover his own but she carefully removed his hands from her waist and released them. "Relax tonight. I can handle the bar." Vincent sighed in resignation then turned and walked to the corner booth where Reno and Rude were already finishing their second round.
"He didn't mean anything by it." Rude's voice was emotionless as always but he was determined to diffuse the situation before Reno could say or Vincent could do anything to make it worse.
"I know." Vincent took his seat. "That's what makes it so wrong."
"Come on, buddy," Reno downed his drink and waved to the waitress for another. She glanced first at Rude then towards Vincent to see if they also would like more drinks. "I got your foot in the door, for you. Didn't I?" Vincent shook his head at the waitress and did not respond to Reno. A moment later, the girl passed two dark beers across the table and placed a snifter of top shelf scotch on a coaster in front of Vincent.
"I didn't order anything."
The waitress smiled coquettishly. "It's from Tifa. She says the first one is on the house. But I could take it back if you'd rather refuse."
"No," Vincent raised his glass towards Tifa and smiled. "Give her my thanks."
"Reno, you are a devil." Rude shook his head. "Here's to Vincent."
"Yeah, sorry, bro." Reno smiled at Vincent and tipped his glass. "Glad we're finally on the same side."
Vincent realized that a career with Reno was made up of a series of small defeats on a very regular basis and that he would have to adapt or go insane. Rude's withdrawn habits also made much more sense. Vincent leaned back against the booth cushions, raised his glass and smirked at his new colleagues.
Reno and Rude hadn't even made it close to last call before Tifa called a Shinra car to take them home. Vincent followed the pair as they staggered out onto the street and saw them safely away. The crowd began to thin as closing time drew near and Vincent took up his post behind the bar while Tifa brought the remaining customers their final rounds. The door was locked, the bar was cleaned, the waitress punched out, and a sharp glance from Tifa snapped Vincent to attention.
"Now tell me, what happened." Tifa's hands were on her hips and she tapped a foot impatiently.
"It was…" Vincent wanted to say that it was nothing, but he knew that Tifa would never accept anything less than a complete, and true, answer. He sighed and looked down. Damn Reno, for putting him in this position. He wasn't ready to tell Tifa how he felt, especially since he wasn't even sure himself. "Reno guessed I was staying here and drew some of his own conclusions."
"I never expected you to be so protective." Tifa relaxed and smiled half a smile. She sat on one of the stools and reclined against the bar. "You nursed that drink all night. Weren't you having a good time?"
"Tifa, I have to leave in the morning." Vincent hadn't been looking forward to telling Tifa he was going away any more than he had the conversation about Reno's kiss. The shocked look on Tifa's face told him that had chosen his words poorly again and she assumed the worst. "It's a short trip. A few days on the Western continent and then I'll be back. I'm not leaving. That is, not until I find an apartment in Edge." He paused and took a breath. Maybe his follow-up had come out wrong, too. "I won't take advantage of your hospitality. I wouldn't dream of it." Vincent searched for further explanations.
Tifa put her hand on his shoulder. "It's alright. I know what you meant." Her smile was soft and comforting. "How soon do you leave?"
"A few hours. I still need to pack and then I should get some sleep." He reached out for her but she slid off her stool unwittingly placing it between them.
"Good night, Vincent. Thank you again, for all your help, even though you have to be up so early." She smiled at him then disappeared up the stairs.
"Any time, Tifa," Vincent whispered to himself. She was long out of earshot. "Anything you ever need."
Vincent planned to leave early the next morning. He hadn't expected anyone to see him off but Tifa was there waiting in the bar when he came down. She was still in her pajamas, with her hair pulled back into a rough tail. A few strands escaped in the night to frame her face and while Tifa struggled to keep them out of her eyes, Vincent stood in the doorway a few extra moments to appreciate how cute she looked. He wondered if she had slept at all. She was hunched over a steaming mug of coffee, listening for him to come down the stairs and trying hard not to look as tired as she obviously felt.
I would never mind mornings if I could wake up to that face every day.
Vincent shook his head at the thought and stepped into the room. They weren't there yet. Despite his training and skill, he couldn't read her feelings for him. He wanted Reno to be right, but she so obviously cared for Cloud. After four years, he still hardly knew her and he had never let anyone in. Maybe when he got back, they could spend some more time together. "Hazelnut? Smells good."
Tifa jumped and turned sharply towards the stairs. "Vincent! You startled me. You're so quiet, I never heard you come down."
"The fourth one always creaks, I know." She looked at him askance as he helped himself to coffee and sat down across from her at the bar. How could he know already? Tifa never managed to avoid that step. She probably could have repaired it, but Tifa was relying on the creak to warn her as the children got older. Already, it told her when Denzel snuck into the fridge at night, if Marlene was sleepwalking, and when Cloud was walking out. But it failed her this time. It hadn't told her that Vincent was leaving. Tifa felt her eyes burn but she swore she wouldn't cry. Vincent saw the change in her mood and wondered what she had been thinking about. Although he wanted to comfort her, Vincent had not yet worked out what to do when a woman cried. "Tifa, have I done something to hurt you? What's wrong?"
Tifa's brow furrowed as she took a long draught from her mug. Vincent had always been an enigma, and he was a Turk, but no one should be able to read her that well. Couldn't she have even a little privacy for her emotions? She turned away, not wanting him to see her face. As Vincent sat in half panic, wondering how to 'fix' Tifa, and she stood to refill her mug, a loud creak echoed up the stairs. Burgundy met crimson then both pairs of eyes pinned themselves on the tiny figure sneaking around the bar. Marlene crept from stool to stool keeping to the shadows. The girl had some skill, Vincent thought and he would have laughed if he did not have to struggle so hard to keep his balance when Marlene's lunged at him and firmly attached herself to his leg.
"You're not leaving us, too. I'm not going to let you, Mr. Vincent."
Vincent's mind swam with questions. How late had the girl been up the previous night? Where had she been hiding? Why was she so attached to him already? If only your mother felt so strongly. Vincent shook his head again and mentally chastised himself for letting his mind take such liberties. "I have to visit some very important men and women, Marlene, but I'll be back on Friday night."
"Tifa is important." Marlene suddenly detached herself from Vincent and ran to the other side of the counter. She pulled hard on Tifa's arms, unsuccessfully trying to steer her closer to Vincent. Tifa smiled sheepishly but refused to meet Vincent's eyes.
"So are you, Marlene." He smiled at her. She scowled back. He rounded the bar and knelt down to meet her at eye level for a compromise. "You can eat dessert first when I take you and Denzel out for lunch on Saturday." Marlene relaxed and nodded. Tifa did look at Vincent then. Her eyes showed disapproval but the corners of her mouth curled upwards of their own accord. Vincent thought her lips might be acting out to charm or tease him.
Reno is right. She is Cloud's girl but I'll be damned if I let him hurt her again.
Headlights flashed through the plate windows. Vincent reached out and wrapped an arm around Tifa's waist, pulling her in close before the opportunity was lost. She let her own arms slide around him and looked up expectantly. Vincent recognized the same fear in her eyes that he saw when he told her about rejoining the Turks. Finally, he figured out what was bothering her. He rested his cheek against the side of her head and spoke softly into her ear. "Don't worry, Tifa. It's talk, plain and simple. I will be back on Friday night." He gave her a quick but tight squeeze then walked out into the darkness to meet the black company sedan.
A/N Poor Vincent. He's so awkward sometimes, but forgive him because he's out of practice and he tries hard. Please review, because I try hard, too.