The Beginning of Nowhere--Chapter II

"I believe you have a chance to do so now." He paused. "He is walking towards us."

Aerith turned to see Zack sizing up a girl from behind, and winking as he walked past her. Aerith rolled her eyes. This was going to be all too easy at this point.

"Be right back." She told Vincent. He nodded, his eyebrows raised. Aerith stood up while taking the typical diamond engagement ring from her slender finger and walked to meet Zack in the middle of the room.

"Aeris, baby! Come on and give me a hug!" He held his arms out to her, but she only smiled and placed the engagement ring in his left hand. His eyes widened when he saw what it was she had given him. "What? Aer! I thought we were going to have ten kids together!"

Aerith rolled her eyes. Yeah, right.

"I will never be your slave, Zack. Sorry, but go find a desperate woman who wants to have ten kids. Maybe she might consider you somewhat of a match, then." While Zack stared on in shock, Aerith spotted Vincent by the back door. He already paid the bill and waited for her. She made her way to the door, which Vincent opened for her, and they were out on the deck. Aerith heard thunder in the distance and looked at Vincent.

"Where are we going?" She found herself asking. He smiled a little and looked at her.

"We're going to watch the storm."

"B-but from where?" He took her hand and led her to the main deck. "You're kidding."

"I'm not joking, if that is what you are assuming." Her jaw dropped a little, and she almost physically jumped when she heard the thunder again. She soon found herself holding tightly to his arm with both of her hands. "Are you afraid, Aerith?" Aerith looked up into his crimson eyes, searching for laughter. She found none. He really cared—unlike Zack.

"Yes…"

"What are you afraid of?" She looked down at the deck floor, afraid to tell him anything. But she found her mouth saying words she thought she would never tell anyone. Why did he have this effect on her? Why did he make her feel something unfamiliar when she was around her? She told him every fear she had—being hurt again, someone breaking her trust, dying before she got the chance to fall deeply, truly, desperately in love…everything. She found herself sitting beside him with his arm around her waist, watching the storm move away from their ship. She was happy enough for that much—more sun for everyone. She suddenly did not want the storm fleeing from sight. She knew that Vincent was to be trusted, and she knew he would never hurt her. She leaned her head on his shoulder, suppressing a yawn.

"Come…" He said, getting up. He held a hand to her, and with a smile she grabbed it. Vincent helped her to her feet and walked her back to her room. Once at the door, they stood facing each other, silence once again falling in curtains around them. "Aerith?" She met his gaze with her own turquoise eyes.

"Yes, Vincent?"

"Will you meet me in the same spot as this afternoon?" She smiled and nodded.

"I would like that. What time?" She asked.

"Around noon, if possible."

"It's possible, Vincent." She replied with a smile and a twist of the doorknob.

"I…will see you then, Aerith."

"Good night, Vincent." With that, she lightly shut the door, shutting her from Vincent's sight. Vincent couldn't help but smile all the way back to his room, attracting the unwanted attention of Scarlet's posse.

"Look at him! He's smiling like a blooming idiot!"

"He's…in love with her." Scarlet remarked vehemently. Tifa sighed. "Oh, don't worry my dear…you'll have him soon enough all to yourself." Tifa shook her head sadly at her comment.

"I might have him…" Tifa replied. "But I won't have his heart." Scarlet laughed at her naivety.

"Sweetie, you just graduated from college. I thought you'd be past that stage by now!" Tifa looked away at Scarlet's comment. The redhead nearby nudged her.

"Scarlet's right, Teef." He lazily began. "He'll learn to forget about her."

"Tch. I doubt it. After hearing about the way Zack will hurt her?" Tifa poked at Reno's chest. "I don't think so." Scarlet sighed while a blonde man brought a martini and gave it to Scarlet. She smiled innocently.

"Thank you, sweetie!" The blonde rolled his eyes at the peppy reply.

"I'm not your 'sweetie'." He replied, sipping a glass of water.

"Alright, here's the declaration of the King and Queen." Zack came in with two certificates in hand. "I had to pay extra for those, so be careful." He handed them to Scarlet's outstretched hand. She opened them and smiled.

"Perfect. Now, you have everything set up in advance?"

"Yeah. Everything."

"Good."

A/N: Sorry for the short chapter...but I will have another one up soon! I promise this chapter WILL tie into future chapters! You shall see...

Thank you to my reviewers, and this won't be so mushy once I get the other chapters up! (Unless...you all LIKE mushy?)

Thank you, and good...uh...night? XD

K. Valentine