Disclaimer: FFVII belongs to Square-Enix…

A/n: Wow, I have been so busy lately. I'm sorry this update took so long, the next one should be much faster. This story is really getting fun to write.

Chapter Four: Given the Chance

"So how'd it go with your girl?"

Vincent looked up sharply as Zack appeared, hovering over his desk curiously. He glanced around the younger man to make sure the door was closed.

"Can you at least pretend you don't know about it?" Vincent asked, setting aside a stack of papers and glancing up at the man. He shrugged and sat down in the chair across from the desk.

"So? Any exciting new developments?" He winked at his boss slyly and Vincent sighed.

"No." He said flatly, digging around in his file cabinet.

"Aww, come on, I called your house on Friday looking for you, but you weren't home." He leaned forward curiously.

"I was here, remember, you left early." He said, trying to avoid what he knew his closest friend was going to pry out of him. Zack snorted.

"Your cell phone was turned off and you didn't answer your office phone either." He pointed out, crossing his arms.

Vincent ignored him for several minutes as he shifted folders around and took out records.

"You got lucky, huh?" His eyes shot over to the nosy man in front of his desk and he stared at him in horror.

"We went out and got dinner, that's all." he said firmly. Zack grinned.

"I'm sure."

He didn't get a chance to respond when a knock sounded at the door and a blonde man peeked inside.

"Mr. Highwind, right on time." Vincent spoke up, gesturing towards a chair sitting near the window. Zack leaned back in interest to watch them.

"What was it you wanted to see me about?" The man asked nervously.

"Don't worry, you're not in trouble." Zack replied seriously, leaning over to pick up a piece of paper sitting on top of Vincent's desk. The blonde took a seat and glanced between the two men nervously. He held a toothpick in his mouth and shifted it back and forth.

"Your presentation yesterday was very impressive." Vincent said, glancing down at a blueprint for an airship.

The blonde immediately relaxed in his seat, a pleased grin crossing his features. "Thank you, sir, I put my heart and soul into that airship."

"Yes, that's very clear. I've never seen such a well done blueprint." Zack smiled over at him, holding up a copy Vincent had given him.

"I'm putting you in charge of the project." Vincent said simply, slamming the folder down on the table as his stomach began to growl. Highwind stared at him in shock and Zack's gaze snapped over to him.

"You are?" Zack blinked in surprise. Vincent nodded.

"Yes, congratulations. You are going to be head of Shinra Corps new aeronautics program." he handed the man a thick folder and he stared down at it in disbelief.

"I've been looking for a man that knows how to do the job right, and since you've been with the company for so long I'm going to give you a chance." The phone beside him rang and he cursed under his breath.

"Excuse me." he muttered, picking up the phone. "Zack can get you filled in on everything, thanks for your time." Highwind rushed forward to shake his hand, thanking him discreetly before moving out of the room after Zack.

"What is it? I'm at work." He spun around in his chair and leaned towards the ground, speaking quietly.

"I want to go see a movie, please?" The gentle voice came through the phone and Vincent sighed. "Come on, you've been at work long enough!" Her voice sounded pleading and bored and he knew from how it was wavering that she was probably bouncing in place as she talked to him.

"Yuffie, I've got some things I need to finish up here." He said softly. She sighed sadly.

"Can't you just hire someone to finish it for you?" She asked. The corner of his mouth turned up and he was silent for a moment.

"Where are you?" He finally asked.

"I can meet you at my school." She replied happily.

"Okay, I'll be there in fifteen minutes."

His secretary watched helplessly as he walked past her. She was about to object, but changed her mind and just said goodbye.

xXx

She was standing there alone when he pulled up along the curb. Snow was falling softly around the car and she scrambled inside. Yuffie shivered violently and rubbed her hands together, pulling her gloves off and shoving her frozen hands over the heater vent.

"Cold?" Vincent asked. She let out a huff and pressed her hands against his face. He flinched back and she giggled.

"Where do you want to go?" He asked. She leaned against him as she rubbed her hands over the heater again.

"The movie theatre downtown." She said softly. That was a popular theatre, 'Why would she want to go there? There are plenty of other, less crowded places to go.' He thought to himself.He simply nodded and kissed her forehead.

The theatre wasn't far, and Yuffie was quiet throughout the entire ride. She stared out the window, twisting a piece of paper in her hands nervously. It seemed like she didn't even notice when they pulled into the parking lot and came to a stop under a tree.

"What's wrong?"

She jumped when his deep voice reached her ears, and spun around to give him a forced smile.

"Nothing, I'm just worried about how I did on my test today. I didn't study." She rushed to put her coat back on as he opened his door and stepped out. He knew she was lying, but pressing her with questions wouldn't help.

He locked the car as she stepped out and hurried after him, clasping her hands together in front of her mouth.

"Why don't you wear a real coat and some gloves?" He asked, eyeing her as she shivered beside him, walking quickly to keep up with his long stride.

"I don't have a better coat." She said, as if it was obvious. He stared down at her in surprise, but she rushed forward to buy their tickets.

He walked over to her and tapped her shoulder, and when she looked up at him he handed her some money. She stared at him awkwardly for a moment.

"It's not right for you to pay, please." He said honestly. She hesitated, but took the money and put her own wallet away.

Vincent wandered over to the front doors while he was waiting for her, and she quickly appeared by his side again, smiling happily. She pulled on his coat, dragging him into the theatre with her, and he took one last look around to make sure no one he knew was watching. She didn't stop to get anything in the lobby, but dragged him down the hall to the room where their movie was showing.

He wondered for a moment what she was really up to, until they walked through the doors into the dimly lit theatre. His eyes widened slightly as she took his hand and led him right out across the floor. 'I get it now…' He groaned internally as several nearby girls stopped giggling to stare down at them from their seats.

"Oh, hey Yuffie." He looked up in horror at the nasty female voice, his gaze drifting from her to the man seated beside her.

"Mr. Valentine? What are you doing here?"

He slowly looked back down at Yuffie, a stern look crossing his features for a moment. She looked so hopeful, he sighed. It was to be expected, he had known when he got into this mess that she was still a teenage girl. Her eyes pleaded with him and he finally gave in, squeezing her hand. 'I could get in so much trouble if he tells anyone.'

"Nothing, Rufus, just taking the lady out to see a movie." He said briskly, his red eyes flashing at the younger man threateningly. He leaned back in his seat slightly as he stared down at his boss, and Vincent noticed the girl beside him glaring daggers at Yuffie. 'I should have known it was something like this.'

"Did you get that project done for Zack yet? He needs it by next week if you want on the airship project." He said, taking Yuffie's coat as she sat down.

Rufus nodded nervously. "Yeah, I should have it done within the next couple of days." He said quickly. Vincent nodded and offered the boy a malicious grin, getting his point across as he took the seat beside Yuffie. She smiled happily, leaning her head down on his shoulder as the lights dimmed even more and the previews began.

"Now you really owe me." He whispered softly in her ear. She smiled.

"Oh yeah? What should I do in return?" She said teasingly, trailing a hand down his chest. She reached a little too low and he jumped, grabbing her hand. He looked over at her sharply, but she let out a hushed giggled and curled up in her seat to watch the previews.

xXx

"Thanks you, that was really great." She said happily, leaning over to kiss his cheek as he started the car again. She quickly drew back and wrapped her arms around herself as the heater started blowing cold air on her.

"You're welcome." he replied, gazing at her softly as the car started to warm up.

"Now what?" She asked curiously as she draped her thin coat over her shoulders. Vincent just gave her a blank look as he pulled out into traffic. Yuffie glanced out the window, watching the buildings go by as they sped down the street.

"Hey, where are we going?" She pouted over at him as he refused to answer, staring straight ahead as he changed lanes and started to turn.

"You'll see." He said calmly. She crossed her arms and sat back in her seat.

Yuffie stared up in shock as they pulled into the enormous parking lot. She pressed her face up against the window as he parked the car and looked over at her.

"What are we doing here?" She asked suspiciously as he opened the door.

"You need a new coat." He said simply, stepping out and letting the cold air rush into the car as Yuffie hesitated. She quickly dashed out of the car and he followed her as she ran to the mall entrance.

An hour later, Vincent leaned against the wall as he waited for Yuffie to come out of the dressing room.

"I feel silly." She mumbled, hugging herself as she slowly crept out of the dressing room. She was wearing long jeans, and a green long sleeved shirt under a thicker black shirt.

"You look wonderful." Vincent replied, taking several articles of clothing she had finally accepted and tossing them in the cart with a black and white winter coat, several pairs of gloves, another pair of jeans, and two long sleeved shirts. Yuffie shrugged and wandered back out of the changing room, holding the outfit she had just been wearing. She tossed it into the cart and smiled up at Vincent.

"You really don't have to buy me new clothes, you know." She said softly, brushing her fingers over his hand.

"The way you dress you'll freeze to death before Christmas." He said, moving back towards the exit again.

"Did you just tease me?" She stared at him in shock and he didn't respond.

"Is there anything else you need?" He asked, gazing down at her as they walked towards the checkout. She shook her head and smiled up at him.

Several minutes later, Yuffie clutched a heavy bag in her hand, and walked along nervously as they headed back towards the exit. She felt guilty, but how was she supposed to get new clothes? Her father certainly wasn't about to spend money on her, and she barely had any money herself. She glanced up at him, expecting him to look troubled, or angry, or something, but he seemed perfectly calm. He opened the door for her as she climbed back into the car. He climbed into the driver's seat and glanced over at her.

"Thank you." She said quietly.

He stared over at her for a moment. His hand slowly reached up, brushing past her shoulder to tangle itself in her hair. Her heart started to pound in her ears as he pulled her towards him. Their lips touched and she held her breath. It was amazing what he could do to her. She blushed as his tongue flicked over her bottom lip, coaxing her to open her mouth for him. She obliged, and all too soon it was over again. He had leaned back, starting the car as she sat there, melting from his touch.

They were parked down the street from her house now, she had hardly been aware the entire drive over. He leaned over and kissed her again, taking pride in the blissful look that came over her face. Vincent watched as she forced herself to climb out of the car, pulling on her new coat and grabbing the shopping bag.

"Yuffie." He called out before she closed the door. She leaned back in curiously as he handed her something.

She stared down at the sleek new cell phone in surprise before her eyes shot back up to his face.

"It's prepaid, call me if you need anything." He said simply, and she leaned in to hug him before hurrying down the street to her house.

xXx

The door clicked closed behind her as she slid into the quiet house. She quickly crept upstairs and threw open her bedroom door, depositing the heavy shopping bag in the corner before going back down to the kitchen to find food.

She had just finished her sandwich and closed the refrigerator door when Godo appeared in the living room, arms crossed angrily as he watched her.

Yuffie jumped when she noticed him there, holding a hand to her chest in shock.

"Where have you been?" Godo demanded, staring her down as she slowly crept forward.

"I was out with some friends, we saw a movie and went to that mall, nothing big." She said casually, resting a hand on the countertop and not wanting to get any closer to her father.

"Don't lie to me, you were out with your new boyfriend." He growled harshly. Yuffie cringed internally, this was going to be bad.

"Is that where you go when you run away? You run off to fuck around with some worthless little shit." He said, his voice booming in Yuffie's ears as she gritted her teeth.

"He's not worthless, he treats me a hell of a lot better than you do!" She cried, slamming her fist down on the countertop angrily.

"You need to grow up, Yuffie, you can't just run away when you're upset, you're going to get hurt!" He said loudly, his voice already hurting Yuffie's ears.

"Like hell, if I stay here you'll just scream at me more! Maybe if you could act like a decent person I wouldn't hate to be around you so much! You're just fucking pissed off because I look so much like mom. But hell, maybe she just killed herself to get away from you! Where you a total prick to her, too?" Yuffie shrieked, she really wasn't in the mood for another one of her father's stupid battles.

"I don't even understand what your problem with me is, if you hate me being here so much why don't you just let me go?!"

Godo stared at her in fury as she stomped her foot and tears started to appear in her eyes. She wiped them away angrily as he just started screaming at her some more, and she turned and ran from the room. She took the stairs two at a time as she dashed back into her room and slammed the door. She threw herself on her bed and punched her pillows angrily. Why did he always have to pick fights with her? Why did he always have to act like she was the worst thing the planet had ever seen?

She could hear him stomp up the stairs behind her, he paused in front of her door before continuing down the hall to the computer room. She punched her pillow until her arms hurt from the strain, then she collapsed in a heap on her bed.

The clock ticked obnoxiously from the wall and she glared up at it. 11:30. 'I don't want to be here anymore…'

She quickly packed some clothing and supplies into her school backpack, put on her new coat, and opened her window. Crawling out onto the roof ledge, she closed the window and carefully climbed along the roof to the balcony. Snow still covered the roof, making it slippery, so she moved carefully. She climbed along the balcony railing until she reached the tree in the backyard, then she climbed onto a tree limb and made her way down to the yard.

She looked up at the tree and shivered, the winter weather was certainly settling in. Feeling in her pocket, she pulled out the phone Vincent had given her only a couple of hours earlier.

End of Chapter Four Please review!