Disclaimer: I don't own anything from Square Enix.

S-Project: Secret

Chapter 2: Coffee Gal

When I woke up I was sorely confused. I was in a comfy bed (one so fluffy I hardly wanted out of it), warm, and no feelings of dread or fear anywhere. A window was at the far right wall, a bar of open window was surrounded by the matching dark blue curtains. She could see outside and the light was just barely starting to show. She could faintly see trees out there, their limbs leafless and raised her arms up to the ceiling slowly before giving a long yawn, her eyes grew watery. She pushed some of the covers down and slowly moved her legs over to the side before looking down. It was a little high but . . . she jumped down. She made a tiny thump noise and steadied herself with the bed before letting go and walking to the door. She reached for the door knob and cautiously opened the door. She looked outside and took a few steps out and turned around and closed the door behind her. When she had turned back around there stood the grey clad blonde man, Cloud. She hadn't heard him come up behind her, she was impressed but wasn't sure if she approved or not.

"You are up pretty early. Don't think Tifa is up yet." His voice was light, but not as in he was a happy man. She felt that he wasn't a depressed person either, but almost as if he was healing from something. She also felt like she was looking up at a large kid. She held her ground as he finally knelt down to look her in the eyes better.

"Want to wait with me downstairs? Vincent is probably up." She contemplated before nodding. She grew a little surprised when he turned still in his kneel position, his arms held back.

"I'll give you a ride. The other kids love them." She raised an eyebrow in wonder. He waited but when she didn't move he turned to look at her.

"A piggy back ride?" She tilted her head in question,

"Piggy . . .back ride?" He looked back at her with a wide eyed expression.

"You really don't know what that is?" She shook her head no and he gave her a small reassurring smile, she'd barely noted thats what it was as his smiles were very subtle.

"Here, I'll show you.," He gently held out his hand for her and she slowly took it where he drew her to his back. He used his other to swoop her up and place her on his back where he started to stand up.

"Hold onto my shoulders." He held a laugh in his voice, as in things might be funny if she slipped off. She did, held on to his firm shoulders and gripped his small waist with her knees. He threaded his hands behind his back and it also gave her a little extra support. She realized how well built he was, much more muscle then his rather small stature gave way to. He began to go down the stairs and she couldn't help but feel lighter. This was rather . . .neat. She felt taller, able to see things differently. She felt his warmth under her as well, which was different from Vincent's last night. Cloud's warmth was natural, Vincent's seemed a little excessive almost as if he had a fever.

"This is . . .interesting." He chuckled,

"Fun is a good word too." She thought about it, maybe this was fun. . .

Sooner then she had really wanted to be, they were downstairs but instead of going to the bar he turned and she saw another doorway, he walked through it and it was a living room of sorts. There was a few chairs, the puffy ones that she saw people sit in to read at libraries, for comfort. She'd only known that from passing by two, one in a new city near Bone village and another in Kalm. She noted that there were rugs on the wooden floors, she saw bookshelves and a music player that looked as if it had never been used but was rather old and dusty. There was a very small child's chair and next to it was a box of toys. Then there was the couch, it had two small end tables plus a small table in front of it. The end tables had tiny lamps on them. Vincent sat there on the couch, a black mug with something equally black and hot in it sat at his side on the end table. He was writing things on some electronic tab when they'd come in.

"Morning Vincent. Looks like we aren't the only early risers anymore." He said with a small laugh at the end. He near dumped the little girl on the couch before taking a chair. Vincent held out the tab for him in which he took it and looked it over. He gave a nod,

"Decent, I should be home for supper then." He turned it off and set it on the table. He looked to the little girl who had pulled her legs into the shirt and her toes were the only thing that could be seen of them. Her hair was a little messy from sleeping, but over all she looked much better then last night.

"Sleep well?" She looked to Cloud, those strange green and blue eyes watching her. Mako Regenesis, she remembered thats what the defect was called. Or something like that. She nodded, feeling Vincent's eyes on her. He was with in touching distance, she was sure Cloud had done that on purpose. She felt like he was trying to help Vincent with her, she could put twp together enough. Not that it mattered, it was just odd to be around good company she supposed. All the time on the streets, scavenging and avoiding harmful people had made her perhaps a tad distant.

"That's good, Tifa was worried that you wouldn't be able to sleep well. Something about our kids not sleeping well when they moved homes." Their kids?

"You have children?" He smiled halfly. He looked to Vincent who leaned back more relaxed with the conversation, he took a drink of whatever was in that mug.

"Yeah, we adopted Marlene and Denzel years ago. Not so much children now though. Marlene still lives here, so you'll meet her later. Then we have Min and Yuki, we took them in after some catastrophe a few years ago. " He looked at a clock on the wall, " Think we are supposed to see if Min's clothes fit till Tifa can get out and go shopping." She swallowed,

"This works fine." Cloud looked at her, her emotionless tone strange. He looked to Vincent with a questioning look. He seemed to mull thoughts around before his deep voice entered,

"She may have trouble with certain . . .things. Accepting items is probably one of them." Cloud thought back to the conversation of last night and nodded. Anyone grown in a lab probably would have trouble with normal life. He remembered how he had needed time to re-adjust and he'd only been worked on and advanced, not born out of. He looked to her with pity in his eyes. The pity was quickly gone though as he noted the fiery spirit in her red eyes. He liked that too, it reminded him of himself. It reminded him of the kids that had lost their parents after the Remnants had destroyed more of Edge and how they still kept living on.

"Don't worry about anything, we are family now, family takes care of each other." Vincent nodded in agreement, the little one wasn't sure how to take this so she switched the subject.

"What is it that you consume? It smells strange." Cloud smiled at her choice of words, it was a small curl of his lips. Before Vincent could answer,

"Try 'drinking' what is it you are drinking?" He chuckled at her confused face as her attention turned back on her more mysterious father who was holding the drink out slightly, the black liquid was nearly half gone.

"It's called coffee. " His deep tone was strange to her ears, she wasn't sure that it was because it was so deep either. She looked into the cup,

"May I try it?" His eyes darted to Cloud as if to ask if it was ok, who in turn nodded to him. She looked at him before leaning over as he placed a hand under her chin with out touching her. He tipped the mug just a little and it touched her lips. She drew back with a strange look on her face, licking her lips. Cloud laughed,

"Nasty right? I can't drink coffee with out a lot of sweetener." She licked her lips.

"Coffee . . " She said it as if to make sure she remembered it. " It's bitter." Cloud looked to the clock again.

"May I . . . have another . . .drinking?" Cloud chuckled and looked to Vincent who held a soft expression, something people didn't see often. He helped her to hold the mug with both her hands and before she took a sip,

"Drink is what to say . . .when you ask for it." Her eyes went shiny before normal, she was a fast learner.

Eggs and bacon could be smelt through out the home, the sun was just rising high enough to make light suitable with out lamps in the bar. The little girl sat on the same stool she sat on last night, her little legs swinging a little. Vincent leaned against the bar on the other side watching Tifa. His black mug sat in front of his daughter, who told Tifa it was bitter after she drank it all. Tifa had sighed and gave Vincent a look, while telling him he shouldn't have given her the whole cup. He shrugged and commented with something on how she liked it.

A woman came in with a tired look on her features. She was pretty and petite with lovely auburn hair that was braided and tied off with a pink bowwith bangs framing her face. She didn't wear makeup and she sure didn't need it. She saw Vincent and the girl was surprised to see her cheeks turn a light pink, she looked down at her feet,

"Goodmorning." She took a stool, the light yellow dress seemed a little too thin for the weather but it was nice on her. She didn't seem to notice the girl how ever. Tifa looked to her,

"Morning sweety. " She gave a smile to Vincent, a strange smile, like something secretive was going on and the girl wasn't so sure it was anything to do with her.

"Ah! Marlene, we have a guest." She turned to Vincent before looking at the girl.

"Oh no, Vincent . . .I don't know how to introduce her. . . " Tifa' s face showed worry and held apologetic eyes to the little girl. Marlene raised an eyebrow before turning and seeing her. She tilted her head and gave a warm smile.

"I'm Marlene." She waved at the little girl and she could only nod. However this made her raise her eyebrows,almost as if insulted.

"Marlene, don't push her . . . um. . . " Tifa seemed to flounder here and gave Vincent a desperate look. He pushed off the bar and walked around it before sitting at one of the tables.

"She needs a name I suppose." His voice was drawn out as the little one looked at him, Marlene's face blushed again and she looked to Tifa.

"A name?" Tifa put her hands to her face with a nod. Marlene looked to the girl.

"Where did you find her?" Tifa shook her head no and gestured to Vincent. He didn't answer though,

"I came here. " She looked to this stoic little girl, whose voice held little emotion. Confusion was written all over Marlene's face, she clearly was out of the loop.

"What about your parents?Aren't they worried?" Tifa looked to Vincent who was tense with the conversation.

"He is here." She looked down the mug wishing there was more, she looked to Tifa expectantly. Marleen shook her head and looked to Tifa.

"Honey, Vincent is her father. That's why she is here." Marleen went pale before red consumed her complexion. She stood up.

"Vincent?" She put her hands to her face and ran out the bar.

"I'm so embarrassed!" She called out from the room behind the bar. Tifa sighed and shook her head, she pulled out a few plates and and started to pile food onto them, especially onto the little girls plate.

"Well you'll have to get over it, breakfast is ready." She smiled to herself, before pulling up a chair on the other side.

"Perhaps I should leave?" His dark voice resonated and Tifa waved her hand, "No no, she will be alright." She smiled again. Marlene peeked in as Vincent went to sit next to his daughter, the more Marlene looked at her the more she could tell. She slowly came in and took a plate furthest from them, playing with her food a little.

"So . . . who is the mother?" She mumbled it, as if it shouldn't have been said, her face mottled with blush and embarrassment and perhaps a little jealousy. Tifa looked to Vincent, he didn't look up from his daughter.

"She has been dead a long time." The room went quiet save the sounds of the little girl dishing food into her mouth and eating. Marlene gave him an apologetic look before realization.

"Couldn't have been too long, she doesn't look that old. . " The little girl looked sideways to Marlene,

"How many years are you old?" Marlene licked her lips and wondered over the odd way of asking,

"I just turned 15." The girl ate more before answering.

"I'm older then you." Marlene gasped, looking to her before Tifa and back. The girl was about finished and Tifa was getting her a glass of water.

"Also, Marlene, I wasn't born from a mother. I was created in a tube from two genetic samples." She gulped down the water as Marleen's face went pale and her mouth hung open.

"You mean like Cloud? Or those remnants from a few years ago." The little girl choked suddenly, spluttering water down her front as she coughed trying to get air. Vincent surprising pulled her hair back from her face as Tifa helped her wipe up her water. She was trying her best to turn and look to Marlene though, and angry look on her face.

"I am not a remnant!" Marlene held her hands up showing she was sorry, the little girl was clearly upset. Not only had she raised her voice for the first time her brows had come down, making her look more like Vincent then ever.

"I'm done." Her face was suddenly back to emotionless, as if a switch had been flicked. She pushed the plate and dish forward for Tifa before she slid off the stool and walked around the bar to get to the living room area. Tifa gave Vincent an amazed look. He straightened up and walked after her, understanding in his matching red eyes.

It was late afternoon and an old box of clothes was being spread out on the floor. Tifa held some up for her and shook her head.

"Nope, you are just too tiny." She smiled though, Vincent was on the couch watching the women in the house cater to the newest addition. Two other girls were sitting as far away from the ruby eyed girl as possible.

"Not by much, I can take them in." Tifa shook her head at Marlene. Min, a girl with short black hair that reached her jaw and black eyes had looked to Yuki, a girl with blonde hair that was in pigtails that reached her shoulders. Min's clothes hadn't fit so they had gotten out a box of Marlene's old clothes.

"Let's give them away and buy her some new ones. Could be fun!" She laughed at the expression on the girl's face before a new thought came forth. The ruby eyed girl caught the rolling of eyes from Min, she looked only a few years older then her.

"Oh Vincent, have you been thinking on what to name her at all?" He seemed to be in his own world before coming to. He shook his head no, a light expression on his face. Marlene and Tifa were suddenly thinking hard.

"What about Sarah?" Tifa looked to Vincent and he looked to his daughter, she made a face and shook her head no. Marlene was next,

"Miranda?" She shook her head no.

"Kara, Daniella, Moira?" She seemed to ponder Moira but she shook her head no to them.

"Darla?" Vincent grunted and shook his head no this time. Tifa laughed. They started to think again, the room becoming silent in thought. The only real sound was Min and Yuki playing with dolls in the far corner.

"Maybe," Marlene held a finger up breaking the silence,"we should get the whole family here to think of a name for her. It could help Vincent out and just might find one she likes. " Tifa seemed to like the idea, she looked to Vincent.

"What do you think? Could be a good reason to get them all to visit too." He seemed to appreciate the idea of them having a reunion and nodded. The women smiled,

"Great, can't wait to tell Cloud. He can get ahold of the others, you can call Denzel I'm sure." Marlene nodded, "You can count on me for him. I want to scold him for not coming by in a while anyways. " She grinned as they started to fold the clothes back up and place them into the box. Marlene paused and made a face.

"Oh . . but that means everyone will know about her being hi . . ." Her eyes flickered to the girl and she wasn't sure she was going to like Marlene. She also wasn't sure she was going to like those other girls either. Tifa gave Marlene the eye,

"And? She is family now." Marlene shook her head and her hands waved out.

"Oh, no not as in . .. I'm just worried is all . . . " The girl looked to Tifa who had an eyebrow raised.

"Er well . . . You know how excited Yuffie gets when it comes to things over . . Vincent . . " She blushed red and looked away. Tifa made a face.

"Oh .. . Yuffie. . . " The girl looked around and noted the strange tension in the air.

"Well, there really isn't a way around it I suppose, we can't not invite her." Marlene nodded,

"True . . .maybe we could delay her invite?" Tifa started to laugh looking at Vincent who held a soft expression, he wasn't paying attention to them but was watching his daughter whom was sitting on the other side of the couch with one leg folded under her and the other hanging off the edge. She was picking at her grey 'dress' though he could tell she was trying to figure the situation out.

"I'm sure things will be ok. We'll try our best to protect you." She and Marlene started to laugh again. The girl would soon find out exactly what they meant. Tifa saw her looking at the girls that were playing and put a hand to her hip.

"Do you want to play with them too? There are plenty of dolls, right girls?" Min was the first to look up but her look was only caught by Vincent's daughter, she clearly didn't want her to play with them. Yuki shrugged,

"Yeah. . . " Tifa smiled, not catching on but soon the smile was gone at the rather mean look that was on the girl's pale face. She looked off at the books on the shelf,

"I don't know what those are anyways." She knew what dolls were, she'd seen them in stores she passed by when she'd been on the road. She knew you were supposed to pretend they were real people, pretend they could talk and such. Tifa had a hurt look,

"The girls can show you honey, it's no problem." Red eyes met red eyes,

"I think perhaps patience on this would be better." Tifa looked to Vincent, whose deep voice had made Min and Yuki look up, they weren't familiar with him as much as the girl had realized. Tifa gave a sigh and a nod,

"Alright, I suppose you are right. . ." She turned to the little girl on the couch.

"If you need anything, let me know, ok?" She nodded and Tifa left. She fiddled with the gray shirt, taking glances at those other girls that seemed to ignore her existance. She turned and looked at her father who was on a different tab than this morning. He looked at her after a while of studying him, he tilted his head as if to ask her if she needed something. She turned away, looking at the floor. She looked to the girls who had been watching, they'd turned back to the dolls as quickly as they could. She slid off the couch,

"I require to use the bathroom now." She walked away, her tiny feet padded on the wooden floors. Anything to get out of the room with those girls.

Notie, She has a really bad way of making up things, like words to go along with description (clouds eye description is one) It's also really difficult to keep everyone in character too DX sorry if its not on par. 3 is done I just have to do some editing. Thank yuh