She was taken home an hour later, when Reno was heading back to work. It was a silent trip, but not an uncomfortable one. She gazed through the tinted windows as he took her through town. He had even taken her number, asked to meet again. Neither of them was willing to let go. Neither of them wanted to let go of the other.

She leant over, and they shared a quick, gentle kiss before she hopped out of the car. He drove off, and she was safe to let herself into the house without her Father realizing she had been with a guy. The naïve man thought she was a virgin.

Since she was alone, she striped the blonde from her hair and dressed in her day clothes which consisted of jeans, converses and a baggy t-shirt. She pulled on a leather jacket, and headed to her Father's favourite joint, Seventh Heaven.

He had told her she was never to go there, under any circumstances. But she needed her Daddy, and wanted to sit with him and feel safe again.

He was sat alone as usual. He was giving someone the evil eye as she slid into the chair next to him. He was clearly surprised to see her, and pushed her chair closer to the wall and sat in a way that she was completely blocked from view, but she chose not to comment on it.

"Afternoon, Dad." She murmured quietly and brushed her bangs out of her face. She looked so much like him that even an idiot would realize there was a blood tie between the two of them.

"Afternoon Taylor. Why are you here is something wrong?"

"No. I just. I don't know. I felt lonely at home. Besides, I haven't seen you for a week." She mumbled and flushed, realizing how pathetic she sounded.

Vincent Valentine was not a man for emotion. He hid his face behind a long crimson cloak that swept to his ankles, the high collar buckled protectively. His hair was worn long and unbrushed, and he had resorted to using a band of crimson fabric as a bandana to keep it out of his face. His face was very feminine and very beautiful. He was a heart breaker, and so very dangerous.

"I shall take you home as soon as I–"

"Vincent! Who's you're lady friend?" Came a breezy voice as a big busted woman bustled over. She had short brown hair, a kind face and the aura of someone who worried easily.

"Tifa, this is Taylor, Taylor, this is Tifa." Vincent introduced the two, and sat back. His metal gauntlet on his left arm chinked against the glass as he tapped it, and Taylor nodded her head in welcome, suddenly over come with shyness. Tifa smiled, and extended her hand. Taylor eyed the hand wearily, but took it.

"Nice to meet you Taylor. I'm Tifa Lockhart and I own this bar. Those two kids are Marlene and Denzel and that lump over there is Cloud." She smiled. At least she was attempting conversation. That was something at least.

"Tifa. This is my daughter." Vincent said quietly, looking into the golden liquid in his glass. Tifa spluttered on the soft drink she had been sipping, and stared at the young girl with wide eyes.

"Daughter…you mean…Lucrecia…?"

"No. She does not know her mother. Sephiroth…" Vincent trailed off, and inched round to sit beside his daughter but she was still very much shielded protectively.

"Oh. Well…it's nice to meet you, Taylor. It's a pleasure to meet you. Even though we didn't know you even existed."

Taylor turned her own crimson gaze on her father, the angry hurt showing clearly on her face. He was careful to ignore it, and sat up straighter as a small female dropped opposite them and gave his daughter the glare of death. Two men appeared, and Cloud joined them, all of them crowding around the table.

Vincent introduced them each in turn. Cid Highwind was a dirty-mouthed chain smoker who seemed to have a think for her father. His blonde hair wasn't as nice as Cloud's, but he seemed like a genuinely caring person. Barret looked a little scary with the weapon on his arm, and his very dark skin made him stand out. For an entire fifteen minutes, he didn't stop pestering her, and bombarded her with a million questions. Then, there was Yuffie. She had short black hair that was held back by a bandana, and had a face with an expression like she'd just sucked a lemon. She seemed to have it out for Taylor, and didn't have once nice word to say to her.

Her Father referred to them as Avalanche and it turned out that he was part of the Anti-Shinra terrorist group that seemed so highly spoken of. She was discovering a world that Vincent had kept hidden from her, and discovering her world was one he kept very well protected from his friends.

They were talking quietly with each other, talking about some secret operation they were planning. She didn't listen, just downed her Fathers drink and logged on to the internet on his phone while she sighed heavily. She was bored, but she loved being with her Father. Even if she was being ignored.

"Taylor?" She jumped and looked over, and realized Vincent had been trying to get her attention for a while now.

"Sorry. What was the question again?"

"Are you hungry? Tifa is going to get something rustled up. Do you want a steak?" She nodded, and he relayed it to Tifa who hurried into the kitchen, Yuffie following after her. Again, she became the centre of attention until the gunman bristled at her side.

Cloud looked round, and she looked up to see a man staring intently at her. He looked fairly interested, and had been talking incessantly on his phone for most of her duration in the bar. Vincent had clearly noticed it, because he suddenly gripped his daughters arm, pulled her to her feet and forcefully dragged her out of the bar and into the private hallway that lead to the kitchen were Yuffie was audibly bitching about Taylor and Tifa was preparing the meal and not really listening to the Wutainian Ninja.

All convocation stopped when they heard Vincent storm up the stairs, Cid and Barret darting along behind them and Cloud wandered into the kitchen to grab his faithful sword.

"Dad! Dad, ow, you're hurting me!" The girl protested, trying to peel his fingers off. The Crimson Gunman wasn't listening however and wrenched her closer, pulling her up the stairs and into the nearest room which happened to be Marlene's. He sat her on the bed, slammed the door and locked it.

"Vincent! What the hell! That's your Daughter you crackpot!" Cid called, and reached for the door but Vincent gripped his wrist and pulled it back.

"Go patrol under the window. Barret stay here and do not let anyone go in." He instructed and went to the kitchen to peer out the window.

Taylor stood up when she heard the door lock, and tried the window as she could hear her Father talking. But it was locked. When Vincent was gone, she banged on the door and shook the handle, trying to open it.

"I'm sorry kid. Vincent's orders." Came Barret's voice and she stepped back, staring at the door.

She was in there for two hours, huddled on the floor by the window and leant on the wall when Vincent returned for her. He scooped her up when he realized she was asleep, and pulled his cloak tightly around her little body to shield her from the view of prying eyes. But he feared it was too late.

"What happened earlier, Vincent?" Tifa hissed, careful to lower her voice so she didn't wake the sleeping Valentine.

"Spies. I am guessing they were sent by none other than Professor Hojo. This is the reason I did not reveal her being to you. I did not want my enemies finding out I have Daughter. She is surely in danger." He responded, and Tifa nodded understandingly.

"I'm sorry Vincent, really I am. I didn't mean to put her in danger."

"Do not worry. She unknowingly put herself in danger by coming here. I stupidly put her in danger by not taking her home when she first arrived." He looked down inside his cloak at the sleeping girl. She had angled her body towards him and gripped the leather and held on tight. He sighed, looking at his friend, "I just hope I can protect her until they get bored of trying to reach her."

"C'mon Vincent. You don't know if they're trying to get to her. You don't know if they're going to want her. It's all speculation."

"I know it is very likely. I am what they want. They will take her, Tifa. She is young, vulnerable. She does not have a Demon inside of her to lend her its power. I have taught her to use weapons but I do not think it will help her."

"Don't worry Vincent. Just concentrate on spending time with your Daughter and stop shielding her from the world. Now your secret is out…you can start enjoying your time being a Dad." Tifa said wisely. He nodded, kissed her cheek goodbye and walked out into the crisp night air.

Checking Taylor was safely tucked away, he felt something rouse in the back of his mind. Chaos had been unusually quiet of late, but seemed to shift himself now after watching Vincent's freak out that lasted two hours.

Better now? I think you scared poor Tifa senseless after dragging your own child upstairs and locking her away like she's some animal.

'I had to. She was in danger.' Vincent huffed internally, his face hardening into a scowl as he checked on the girl once again.

Something is coming Valentine.

'I know. They saw her. Professor Hojo now knows she exists. We shall have to be extra vigilant.'

Vincent sighed as he walked along, more highly strung than usual. He saw a threat in everyone, every passer by or tramp. He pulled Taylor closer to him, and hurried home.

Once she was settled on her bed, he relaxed, pulling the covers up and over her after removing her shoes. He stroked her cheek with his human hand, keeping his touches soft and very light. She was so beautiful, but so precious too him. He couldn't bare to loose her. He was angry that she had come to the bar and jeopardized the safe world he had created for her. But he knew he couldn't blame her. He knew it wasn't her fault.

He stared at her, and realized how much he had missed out on. When she was born and her Mother ran away, he instantly started carving out a safe future. He kept her well hidden, never spoke about her and never aroused suspicion. He had missed all the important things. He had been there to celebrate, but somehow, keeping her wrapped in bubble wrap had always seemed more important than walking or talking. And now he seriously regretted it.

He walked to the window, bolting it shut in four places and pulled the curtains shut. He kissed her temple very gently, and shut her bedroom door very quietly.

Operation keep Taylor safe was underway.