Chapter 9

Cid was outside yelling the crew's ears off has usual. After his shower Vincent had dressed but hadn't redone the red bandana he wore to keep his long black hair away from his face. So now it feel in long waves past his shoulders and down his back. Easy prey for tiny little fingers to grab onto...

Evidently baby Lucretia liked hair, specifically his hair. He'd taken the baby from Shera so she get dinner ready and avoid a lecture from Cid. He'd brought her out with him when to talk to Cid. He simply hadn't realized the baby would find his hair so fascinating. Her tiny fingers were wound around a lock of it tugging experimentally.

He gave a long suffering sigh and walked over to Cid. He'd been alternating between yelling and instructing the crew. The rain had stopped so they were making sure all the equipment was secure. Cid had been berating them for their poor response time during the storm. Cid seemed to outsiders like a horrible task master but it was just that he expected no less then the absolute best from his people. He asked no less from them than he asked of himself.

Which of course was why they were so loyal to the Captain. Any of them would have given their lives for the Captain because they knew he'd do the same. The was real loyalty and unquestioningly the most loyal was Shera. She and Cid had a unique understanding. If he insulted her, well that was just his way, it wasn't really personal. He never really meant what he said he just got so wrapped up in his work. It was a feature everyone admired about him.

Vincent felt the urge to smile but controlled it. He strode over towards Cid who was finishing the lecture. He looked over at Vincent and grinned. It was funny to see him hoisting a baby on his hip and still manage to look menacing. Cid stubbed out his ever present cigarette watching them approach.

"Shera got dinner goin?"

To say Cid thought with his stomach was an understatement. He couldn't stand the thought of any meal being late. So his meals were always on the dot at the same time or there would be hell to pay.

Vincent nodded and tried to extract his nearly dry hair from the grasping fingers tugging at it. She was pulling do it felt like the hair would come out by the root. He didn't know how a baby could be that strong.

"Yes she started dinner, said it should be ready in an hour." Cid nodded and yelled something to a crew member that Vincent felt was very inappropriate for young ears to be hearing. "Cid we need to talk."

Cid nodded and they walked over to the machine shop. Cid pushed his goggles down over his blue eyes and started sharpening some knives and tools that were laying around. Vincent delicately placed his claw over Lucretia's eyes to protect her from the flying sparks.

"So what is on your mind now Vinnie?"

"I... we need to go to Junon soon Cid. I was hoping you could give us a ride on the Highwind. I need to discuss some things with Cloud about our mysterious visitor this morning."

He stood there and waited for Cid's response. He was expecting something up to par with Cid's usual explosive reactions. He didn't know why but he just figured that's how Cid would react. But he got a truly unexpected reaction. He nodded and shut off the machine pushing his goggles haphazardly back onto his head. Sweat streaked his face he looked over at Vincent. His face was solemn but his blue eyes held a faint spark of mischief.

"Sure I'll take the two of ya to Junon. Been meanin to visit Cloud an Tifa myself. Has long as you don't mind a pit stop at Cosmo for a few days. I promised to bring Red XIII some stuff that he asked for. Tomorrow mornin good for you?"

Vincent blinked then narrowed his bright red eyes. He wanted to say it had been too easy but... It's not like Cid had a reason to refuse to take him. It probably was his usual morbid nature that always expected rejection that made him think the response would be negative. Maybe it was the internal belief that nothing he attempted would work out has it rightly should. Finally he nodded but curiosity remained in his glowing eyes.

Cid grinned straightening the tolls out on the bench. "I need a break honestly and the Highwind needs a workout. Shera's busy with work and I can't do a thing till she's done with all her stuff. So a nice break before I go stir crazy is just the thing. Besides you never know when we might into that bloody woman if we hang around here."

Vincent nodded and turned away. Hr looked down into Lucretia's soft green eyes. She gazed back and made a soft cry seeming to smile at him. Vincent wondered again why fate had thrown this child into his life... He was undecided about whether it was a blessing ot a joke given him by the fickle fate running his life. But he was committed and he had long ago past the point of no return. He wouldn't fail Lucretia again. Not again... NEVER again... He swore it silently to himself.

Shera's yell broke his somber revelry. She had her hands on her slim hips looking over at him. Vincent blinked realizing she'd been calling to him for several minutes. He felt a slight flush of embarrassment that he'd been so wrapped up in his own thoughts he hadn't even noticed his hostess's calling him.

He straightened himself and with a node he strode over to the house. Cid was settling himself down tucking a napkin into the color of his shirt. A very small smile tugged the corners of his mouth. It wasn't obvious that it was a smile and that was precisely how Vincent liked it. He sat down across from Cid and gently balanced baby Lucretia on his knee. He picked up his napkin and placed it gently on his lap smoothing it down gently.

"Cid!! Straighten up! Sometimes I swear you mother never taught you manners." Shera scolded has she set the food on the table. "If you have even half of Vincent's manner people would think you were actually raised by humans.

They kidded back and forth for a moment not really noticing Vincent's pensive reaction. They'd this before many times and all he'd seemed to be was bored with it but this time something different happened. He frowned slightly wondering where he had his good manners. He thought back trying vainly to remember anything that had happened before he worked for ShinRa. Everything just seemed to be a total blank like a wall was blocking his way. Of course his life hadn't started with his work for ShinRa so why couldn't he remember?

Mentally he fumbles around trying to find trying to find a crack, a hole in the wall, anything that would help him understand. He found the tiniest sliver of a crack at the bottom of the wall nearly obscured. When he touched it, it was like a shock went through his whole mind like he was physically drawn back...

He was trying not to fidget has he stood in the hard high-backed wooden chair.  He knew the woman in front of him wouldn't be happy if he shifted in his seat. But his legs were hurting from hanging down over the chair for so long. But he would never do anything to upset her. She was moving through the large kitchen like she was cooking or cleaning up. Her long silky black hair was pulled back in a tight braid slight wisps falling down around her beautiful face. Her brown eyes were large and, like warm chocolate. He knew her... She was important to him somehow...

Who are you? And why do I know you? I feel has though I've known you forever...

His new clothes itched and he couldn't help shifting in the seat. Once he did so she looked over at him a frown creasing her smooth face. She walked over to him the only sound being her dress swooshing lightly. It was brightly colored with a beautiful floral print on it. She scolded him lightly her voice rich and beautiful with a slight accent he couldn't place.

"Vincente sit up. Good little gentlemen sit up strait and clean up their plates."

Vincente? She says my name like it has an e. But my name has never had an e on it... has it?

He scrambled to obey sitting up strait with such speed his hair ruffled. It was short and black and had been neatly comber a minute ago. He struggled to hold his head still has he ate so he wouldn't mess it up anymore. It was broccoli but he forced it down anyway for her sake. She called him a gentleman and that's what he desperately wanted to be and if gentlemen ate broccoli then so would he.

When he finished he looked up at the woman who had observed him the whole time silently smiling. Her smile was so warm and bright it was like the sun came out. It made him feel light in his mind and grin in response. She bent over him and pinched his cheek lightly shaking his head gently.

"There's my good little gentleman." She straightened up and pointed towards a door. "Ok Vincente you can go out and play now. Be sure to be back before dark."

He grinned up at her and hopped off the chair running out the door to go and play before dark. he glanced back and saw her standing in the doorway. She smiled and waved to him her brown eyes gazing warmly after him.

Who are you? Why I know you? Why is your smile so familiar...

The sharp shake of his shoulder pulled him out of the memory with a jolt. He blinked his red eyes slowly refocusing on the person in front of him. He almost expected to see the woman from his memory in front of him again but once he finally focused he found a much less lovely form in front of him.

Cid was nearly in his face shaking his shoulders. The scruffy face was close the blue eyes showing evident worry. Slowly Vincent blinked again and moved to sit up. His quick eyes caught a look over relief pass over his friend's face.

"What happened Vinnie? You zoned out more so than you usually do."

He shook his head feeling his lustrous black hair fall around his face. It had been so clear a moment ago... He'd been in a different kitchen with a woman telling him to eat broccoli. But it was all receding so fast. He shook his head again and glanced over at Cid who had backed up a couple of paces. He could see Shera behind Cid holding Lucretia.

"I... I'm fine... I was just thinking back."

It was nothing more than a jumble of images. He forcibly pushed all the confusion to the back of his mind resuming his cold mask. He took Lucretia back from Shera settling her back onto his lap.

Shera took her place at the table and started passing around dishes. Vincent helped himself to the food and old saying popping into his head. 'Little gentlemen always sit up strait and clean up their plates.'

"Want some broccoli Vincent?"

He shook his head his voice very low and quiet. "No... I don't like broccoli."