Disclaimer: I dont own Final Fantasy VII

Hello! Wow, this was actually a quick update for me. :( I'm sorry its still wasn't a speedy one. I've just been having a hard time with this story, because I didn't plan out with a definite plot when I started, so I'm kind of going by trial and error. It's funny, I start a chapter with a certain plan in mind, but then I let it wander into different directions.

Well, I'm trying my best! This chapter's short, but it's sweet...so I like it.

P.S. PLEASE tell me if you see any mistakes. I hate it when I look back, and realize how messed up a chapter is.

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So there still is hope.
Yes, I can be healed.
There is someone looking for what I concealed in my secret drawer,
in my pockets deep,
you will find the reasons that I can't sleep and you will still want me.
But will you still want me?

-Bright Eyes; A Song to Pass the Time-

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Tifa closed her eyes and slowly counted,

1.…2.…3

Then, she hesitantly opened them again and sighed in not quite mock relief.

He was still there

Sitting across from the brunette, and looking more than a little confused, Vincent eyed her warily and said, "What's the matter? Are you feeling all right?"

Attempting to adopt an air of secretiveness, Tifa curled spaghetti on her fork, and gazed innocently at him, "Why… nothing. What makes you say that?"

"Well…I guess it may be the fact that out of nowhere, you just closed your eyes in the middle of our conversation and counted to three." He leaned forward, thrust his elbows on the table. Resting his chin on the heels of his hands, Vincent let his fingers curl delicately around his cheeks. He glanced back and forth then whispered, "You were thinking of me naked weren't you?"

"Gagh!"

Tifa slurped up a huge string of pasta at once, and choked in surprise. Blushing madly she looked down and said, "Well, you got one part right."

"Oh I understand."

"You do?"

"Of course. You were thinking of Ms. Wormwood naked?"

Tifa rolled her eyes, embarrassment forgotten. "Wow Vincent, I never would have guessed that beneath your hardened, icy exterior there lived a freakin' comedic genius."

Vincent shrugged his shoulders, eyes smiling, and replied, "I try."

Tifa took another bite of spaghetti, and stole a furtive glance at Vincent. He was acting so different. She had never know before that he could be so relaxed, and funny, and friendly, and well…sociable. For once, in the short time she had known him, his behavior was warm and contented.

She giggled when he attempted, in vain, to slurp up some pasta without getting it on his face. Pasta hung out of his mouth, as he struggled valiantly to eat the messy food in a dignified manner. Upon hearing Tifa giggle, Vincent realized she had been watching him the whole time and a faint pink tinge arouse on his pale cheeks. Quickly he swallowed, and wiped his face with a napkin grumbling, "Stupid pasta."

Tifa laughed even louder then said abruptly, "This whole situation just seemed unreal."

"Eh?" The rock star questioned, half listening as he strove to coil the pasta perfectly around his fork.

"That's why I closed my eyes. It just seemed like a dream or something."

Now she had his full attention. Vincent placed his fork on the table. Tifa, shocked by her own honesty, fixed her eyes on the napkin in her lap.

"A good dream, right?"

"Of course." She searched for the right words, "I just…it's…I never imagined this would happen. We've been sitting here for about two hours and, well, we haven't argued once. I'm having such a great time, and I always just assumed we had nothing in common…I thought you didn't like me…."

Vincent was quiet. Tifa figured there was no stopping now, so concluded.

"I haven't been this comfortable around a guy for a long time. And I'm just… happy"

Vincent smiled. It was so genuine that Tifa couldn't help but grin in return.

"Ditto" he replied.

Tifa stared at him blankly, and he said, "Well not about the whole being afraid of a guy thing, but in accordance to everything else that you said."

Tifa still stared, so he grumbled, "What's the matter? Something I said?"

"I can't believe you just said ditto."

"What's wrong with saying that?"

Tifa shook her head, "Oh nothing. It's just weird. Like seeing a…vampire say ditto."

Vincent raised one eyebrow. "Like a vampire?"

She nodded, laughing a little.

"I gotten that before. I guard my speech around people I don't know, it's like, kind of a defensive mechanism I guess. Most of time I guess I give people the impression that I have a major stick up my ass."

"Very true."

He shot her a glare.

"I just don't see the use in being friendly with people I'm never going to see again. In most situations, it's just easier to not talk. Less problematic too"

Tifa could tell by the telltale tightening of his jaw, that Vincent wasn't entirely keen on the subject. It was strange. After only a weeks of knowing him, Tifa found herself able to read the subtle nuances of his face. Upon first impression his visage appeared unreadable, but certain, rather small, gestures revealed what he was feeling.

Hastily changing the subject, Tifa said, "I can't believe Scarlet pretended that you guys were going out."

He groaned and rubbed his temples, "Urg…don't even mention that name around me. That teeny bopper drives me crazy."

"She is pretty"

"…no, no she's not."

"She has a nice body."

"Yeah, if you like plastic. She's so fake, I can't stand it."

Tifa couldn't help but feel a smidgeon of smugness creeping over her when he said that. "I guess you have to deal with her though, huh? Since she's the daughter of the owner of your record company and everything?"

"One of the major cons of being with Shinra Records. That, and well, everything else."

Tifa slapped her palm against her forehead. "Oh my god! How could I forget again? We have to figure out what to do about those Shinra people trying to murder Cid! We need out why, and find some way to expose them!"

Vincent stroked his narrow chin, and adopted a superior expression. He crossed his legs across the table and, turned his head to the side.

"I'm way ahead of you on that one."

Tifa clapped her hands together, "Awesome! What's the plan?"

Tilting his chair back, Vincent replied, "I figured that at the Corneo party thing, we could scope out the higher ups and see what they're up to. Then, I guess I'll try and get closer to the president, and maybe he'll let something slip. That's why I invited you."

"Oh…so you invited me to…okay"

Tifa's stomach dropped. Should could feel herself deflating.

That's the reason he asked me…

Ever since they had left Tifa's school, what Vincent had said was on Tifa's mind. He said he…liked her. But that could mean anything. Maybe he only liked her as a friend. Vincent hadn't even mentioned anything about his confession. As soon as they left the classroom, he acted as if it hadn't even happened.

But why? She thought, Why would he go to all that trouble to tell me that? I think I understand him, then he just throws me for a loop.

"Well, thanks for inviting me. I don't know how much help I'll be. I'm not strong like you. I'm weak. Someday, I hope I'll find a way to overcome it"

Something flashed in Vincent's eyes.

She looked down at Vincent's hands, which were now clenched tightly to the tablecloth. Titling the chair back to its proper place, he let his head drop forward so a darkened veil shadowed his features. For the first time during the entire lunch, the atmosphere was awkward and tense.

"Tifa?" Vincent whispered, head still angled downward.

"Yeah?"

"You shouldn't…don't…"

He stopped and raised a hand to his forehead. Tifa couldn't imagine what had triggered his sudden change in mood.

"What?"

"I'm not strong."

"Of course you are! I saw the way you beat those guys! And, it seems like you always know what to do in any situation."

He let out a humorless laugh. "Tifa…you have no idea…I just…I thought I was once. But she…I…"

"Vincent, I don't understand what you're talking about."

The other restaurant patrons were eying the couple with interest, intent on hearing their conversation.

"I'm sorry. For a second you just….reminded me of someone. You're…so much like her."

Still confused and at a loss, Tifa just sat and hoped Vincent would reveal more. He sat up straight again, and his red eyes glowed. Tifa felt the urge to place her had on his tightened fist, but the look in his eyes frightened her. He looked just like he had that night.

"Tifa…" He leaned toward her, a hand outstretched. Unconsciously, Tifa cringed and pushed herself away from him.

Vincent let his hand fall.

"You're afraid of me."

Her heart thumped in her chest.

"No, well… I guess sometimes I am, Vincent. But, I mean, how long have we known each other? I know barely anything about you, and the same the other way around. Until today, we've only met sporadically and it was never in the best of situations. We're just two messed up people who met by chance, and chance alone. "

Tifa then smiled and said, "But that's okay. We shouldn't dwell on how we met, or things that have happened in the past. I think we can help each other, Vincent. Now, let's just have a good time. Like teenagers should."

"Deal."

Vincent signaled for the waitress to bring the check.

"Come on, let's get out of here. I want to take you somewhere."

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I wish I was strong like you. Maybe someday I can overcome my flaws. Then, we'll rise above this city and be happy.

Someday, we will overcome.

I refuse to be weak anymore

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Hmmm. Damn Vincent and his moody secretiveness. In the next chapter it's going to be all fluffy, happy, good times I promise!

But where is Vincent taking her? You'll never guess!