I'm so sorry for making you guys wait for so long. I have been back from vacation for a week now, but this chapter took me forever to write. I had a major writer's block and had tried to get through it by working on this chapter a little at a time, but it really didn't work and I'm so sorry. My plot bunnies seemed to have left me on this chapter because it really is more of a filler chapter than anything. Again, I'm so sorry for the long wait. Disclaimer: I don't own FF7 or the characters, I'm just borrowing them.

Chapter 9 Friendships Beginning

Rose continued to watch the view of the land fly by below her. Vincent leaned against the wall below the helm as he watched her.

"I didn't expect her to enjoy herself this much." Cid commented as he watched the young woman continue to gaze out the glass.

"Yes, she does seem a lot happier since coming here." Vincent replied. Thinking back to when he had met her and spent time with her on her planet, she was always happy when she was out. When it came time to take her home, she seemed to go into a bit of a depressed state. Anyone looking at her wouldn't have noticed it. Even though she always seemed to have a smile, he could always see the sadness in her eyes.

"Happier? Since? What are you talking about?" Cid asked, looking at Vincent before turning his attention back to flying the airship.

"I won't go into too much detail Cid since I don't know if she wants you to know this or not. She came from a bad situation when I met her and…we just fell for each other." He explained.

'Yeah, fell head over heels for each other.' Chaos decided to chime in.

"As long as you don't mess this up, nobody will be kicking your ass for this later." Cid said as they came upon the outer limits of the city of Edge.

'I don't intend to mess this up.' Vincent thought to himself.

'Good, because I would also kick your ass.'

'How?'

'First I would kick your ass emotionally, then when I have my form I will fly us into the side of a mountain so hard you will get knocked into the next month.' Chaos answered.

'You do realize that would also hurt you, right?'

'It would hurt you more than me buster.'

Cid brought the airship to a stop outside the city. He went through the post flight procedure and shut down the airship.

"It's going to be a few minutes for us to get the Shadowfoxes out there." He said as he made his way towards the door. "I'm going to overlook the procedure so nobody else does anything stupid."

Rose couldn't help but chuckle at that. She didn't move from the window like Vincent expected her to. She simply stood there, looking out at the city. She slowly wrapped her arms around her, hugging herself as she gazed out at Edge. Vincent pushed away from the wall and approached her from behind and wrapped his arms around her.

"Are you alright?"

She nodded. "Yeah, my nerves are jumping a little. That's all."

"You really don't have anything to be nervous about." Vincent tried to assure her.

"I know, but this is a new place that I don't know. My nerves always get the better of me when I'm somewhere that I don't know." She explained. "Kind of funny since I do know this place from a movie and a game."

"Understandable." He replied, removing his arms. "Come on. By the time we get down there, they should have the Shadowfoxes unloaded and ready."

"Alright." She tore her gaze away from the city and followed Vincent out of the helm room.

The ride into the city was uneventful. The WRO soldiers, who were riding with them, didn't try to get her to talk about where she came from. She was tense at first, but she soon relaxed when the ride started and with Vincent sitting next to her.

"Did you want to go straight to Seventh Heaven, or did you want to get dropped off at your place Vincent?" Cid asked, lighting up a cigarette.

"At my place." He answered. "Must you smoke in here?"

"Cut me a break will ya? I haven't had a decent smoke yet today." Cid replied.

"Can't it wait until after the ride?" Vincent asked.

"Okay, fine." Cid said as he put out his cigarette. "Make me waste a good cigarette."

Rose had to press her lips tightly together to keep herself from laughing. Even when he was being serious in the game, he always managed to make her chuckle.

"What's so damn funny?" Cid asked, looking at her.

Rose shook her head. "Nothing, you just remind me of an uncle I had."

"Oh really?" he said.

She nodded. "Yeah, you two are alike in so many ways."

"Was he close?" Vincent asked.

"Yeah, he was my Dad's brother. After he died, he looked after Mom and me until I was nine." She explained. "He was working at a construction site. I wasn't given the whole story by my mom but, I do know that someone lost control of a crane and he was at the wrong place at the wrong time."

"Sorry to hear that kid." Cid said.

"Thanks."

"How do you like our world so far?" Cid asked, deciding to change the subject.

"I love it. It's so beautiful." She answered. "But I know that this is just the beginning. There is so much more that I want to see here."

"You're going to have to tell us about that later cause this is your stop." Cid said.

"Already?"

"Yeah, even though it's called the city of Edge, it really isn't a city yet." Cid explained. "I'll see you two a little later."

"Yeah, we'll see you in a bit." Vincent replied as they got out with their things.

They walked up the stoop and Vincent unlocked the door. They walked into a small hallway. To the left was stairs leading up and to the right was a doorway. Rose followed suit when Vincent set his things down and walked to the end of the hallway near the doorway and took off his boots. He also hung up his cloak on the coat rack that was on the wall there.

Vincent faced her after doing this. "Would you like a tour?"

"Yeah, that would be great." She answered.

Vincent decided to start out downstairs since they were already there. He led her through the doorway into a living room. There was a three sectional couch along with a coffee table and a cabinet that contained his T.V. There were two doorways from there, both of them along the left wall. He took her through the one that was farthest from them. That one lead into a kitchen with a good sized table that could seat up to six people, a two door fridge, a double sink as well as a dishwasher, and an oven. There was a door that was to the back to the right that led to an enclosed back porch that had the washer and dryer.

There was a doorway that led to the backyard, but he decided to show her that in a day or two. He led her back to the living room and took her through the doorway that was next to the one they had gone through. It led into a larger room that contained a single grand piano that was off center in the middle of the room.

There was another doorway straight ahead. That led to a cozy guest bedroom with a small hall that led to a full bathroom. He then led her back to the front hall and up the stairs. At the top there was a spare bedroom to the right that was empty. There was a small hall that led to the left and right. To the right there was the master bedroom along with a master bath and at the end of the hallway to the left was a study. There was a single large desk at the back of the room facing the door and the whole left wall was a bookshelf filled with books.

"How do you like it?" Vincent asked, a little nervous as to what her answer would be.

"I really like it. It's cozy. Not to large, but not to small either." She answered as they walked back downstairs to get their things.

"Weren't you thinking of me living in a different place?" he asked.

'Why can't you ever be happy with honest answers from her?'

"I never really thought about it. But there have been theories that perhaps you lived in the Shinra Manor after Meteor Fall." She answered.

"That place is to run down to even attempt to fix up and live in." Vincent replied.

"The best thing to do is to just tear it down right?" she said as they made their way back upstairs with their things.

"Yeah, pretty much." He replied as they walked back into the master bedroom. "I just want to change really quick before going to Seventh Heaven, okay?"

"Yeah, that's fine. Take your time." She replied as he grabbed some things and headed into the master bathroom.

When he emerged from the bathroom he was wearing dark blue jeans with a light blue button up long sleeved shirt. His right hand didn't have a glove, but his left one did without the fingers on the glove. He grabbed his black boots from his luggage and sat on the bed to put them on. Rose decided not to ask about the glove. She trusted the thought that he would tell her about that later and remove the glove.

"Ready to go? Vincent asked, standing from the bed.

"Yeah." Rose answered. She followed him out and down the street towards Seventh Heaven. She couldn't ignore the butterflies that started up in her stomach again.

When they arrived at Seventh Heaven, they didn't go into the front door to the bar area like Rose had expected that they would. Instead they went down the side of the building to a door there. Vincent knocked on the door, and after a moment a young lady with dark brown hair answered the door.

"Vincent, please come in." she said, stepping back to let the two in. "And you must be Rose right? Cid has told me and Shera about you. I'm glad I get to meet you so soon. I'm Tifa by the way."

"Yes, I'm Rose. I'm glad to meet you too Tifa." Rose replied. "So Cid really did marry Shera?"

"How do you know that?" Tifa asked.

"You do know about Square Enix creating the story of Meteor Fall into a game. That's how she knows." Vincent explained.

"Oh, I see. That would make sense. Square Enix did create and sell that game for your planet." She said with a smile. "Well, let's not stand around here talking, please make yourselves at home." She led them into the living room. "I believe the kids are in the backyard with her right now Vincent. They shouldn't be too much longer."

Rose was about to ask who Tifa was talking about with 'her' but didn't get a chance.

"I don't see why I should change her every time I come back." Cid argued.

"Because your gone most of the time and you need to spend as much quality time with her as possible." Shera argued back as she and Cid came into the living room. She was carrying a baby that appeared to be around three or four months old.

"And changing her is spending quality time with her?" he asked.

"Yes. Any time you spend with her is quality time." She answered, and then she saw the two new comers. "Vincent, it's good to see you're back safe. You must be Rose that Cid told us about. I would shake your hand but my hands are a little full."

"Oh, no your fine." Rose said, approaching her to see the baby. "Oh my goodness. Aren't you a cutie?" she said as she gazed at the brown haired and blue eyed girl.

"She has her father in her doesn't she?" Shera said with a smile.

Rose looked at Cid then the baby before answering Shera. "Yeah, but she's cuter."

Tifa clamped a hand over her mouth to keep herself from laughing.

"Har, har." Cid said before leaving the room to go outside, for a cigarette Rose figured.

"What's her name?" Rose asked after Cid had left.

"Cynthia Jane Highwind." Shera answered.

"That's a pretty name." Rose said.

"Do you want to hold her?" Shera suddenly asked.

Rose quickly looked up at her. "I-I don't have any experience with babies."

"It's not that hard, we'll help you." Tifa said, approaching her.

With Tifa's help and a little encouragement from her and Shera, Rose was holding little Cynthia. Vincent watched on from where he was. Somehow he couldn't help but think that it looked natural for her.

'I'm sure she would be more than happy to have your litter.' Chaos said to that thought process.

Vincent mentally sighed. He hadn't really thought about having kids, but perhaps Rose would…

His thoughts were interrupted by younger voices coming from the den area where the door to the backyard was.

"Vincent!" Marlene greeted when she saw him. She ran up to him and hugged him about the waist. "When did you get back?" she asked, detaching herself from him.

"A little over a day ago." He answered.

"How was your trip?" Denzel asked, from the doorway.

"It was interesting. That world really isn't that different from ours."

"Cool." Denzel said.

"I'm sure he'll be more than glad to tell you all about it Denzel, but let him get settled back home before he does that." Tifa said.

"Ok. I guess you're here for Dixie aren't you?" he asked.

"Yes, she was one of the main reasons I came here." Vincent answered.

"We'll go get her." Marlene said.

"Marlene, we're going to be having dinner soon. Leave her outside for now." Tifa said.

"Dixie?" Rose asked.

"Vincent's dog." Shera said, taking Cynthia back.

"Yeah, the stray dog that Yuffie begged Vincent to take in because she 'felt sorry for the poor thing.'" Cid explained as he came back in. "Tifa, Cloud's back. He's parking the motorcycle right now."

"Alright, thanks Cid." Tifa said. "Why don't you two stay for dinner tonight?"

"We don't want to impose." Vincent said.

"No, it's fine. You two won't have anything there anyway." Tifa said. "I made more than enough for everyone here."

"She always does Vincent please stay." Cloud said from the doorway. "Welcome back."

"Thank you Cloud." Vincent replied.

"If you need any help with dinner, I would be more than happy to help you." Rose said.

"Oh you don't have to. I'm just making tacos, I can handle it." Tifa said.

"Please let me help. Your letting us stay and eat with you." Rose pressed.

"Well, okay if you really insist on it." Tifa said. "Thanks."

After dinner Vincent thought that it would be best that they head back since it was already dark. Denzel brought in Dixie who came bounding into the living room. Her tail started wagging furiously when she saw Vincent, but she sat obediently for him, her tail still wagging.

Rose approached the dog and held out her hand for her to sniff. Dixie's tail stopped wagging momentarily to sniff her hand, but her tail started wagging again soon after. "Aren't you a pretty girl?" Rose said scratching her behind the ears. She took a moment to really look at Dixie. She was all black but there was a spot on her chest that was white along with the toes on her front paws. "How old is she?"

"She's ten months old." Vincent answered.

"Wow, no wonder your energetic." Rose said to Dixie as she continued to scratch her head.

Dixie looked up at Vincent as he put the leash on her. "Yes, you're coming home now."

"Vincent before I forget, I did clean your bedroom and put clean sheets and blankets on your bed when I heard you were home." Tifa said.

"Thank you Tifa." He replied.

"Bye." Rose said as they headed towards the door. "Thanks again for dinner."

"You're welcome and you can come by any time." Tifa said.

"I'll see you later Vincent." Cloud said as they left.

"I never would have guessed that Cloud and Tifa got married." Rose said on the walk home.

"Yes. They got married not to long after Meteor." Vincent replied.

Rose looked down at Dixie who was sniffing at the sidewalk but wasn't trying to pull Vincent along. "So, what are the rules with her? What is she allowed to do, have, etc.?"

"She isn't allowed in the bedroom when I'm or we're sleeping, she's not allowed on the furniture including the bed, and she only eats twice a day." He explained.

"Simple enough." Rose said.

When they got home, Vincent allowed Rose to use the bathroom first to shower if she wished. He was thankful that Tifa had cleaned the room and changed the bed sheets for them so they wouldn't be sleeping in dust. Once Rose had finished he went ahead and took a shower himself before turning in. When he came out of the bathroom, he found Rose on top of the covers instead of in the bed.

"I thought you were going to go to bed." Vincent said.

"I…did." She replied.

"But you're lying on top of the covers."

Rose sat up and hesitated on what she wanted to tell him. She didn't want to lie to him, but she didn't want to keep secrets from him either. She shed her insecurity and told him the truth.

"Whenever Bradley…afterwards I always felt that the sheets were dirty, even when they really were clean. I just had the habit of sleeping on the bed instead of in it." She explained. "I'm sorry if I offended you."

"No." Vincent said approaching her. "It's understandable. You have nothing to apologize for."

She nodded at his understanding. She hesitated again, but she stood up and pulled the covers back and got into them along with Vincent. She fell asleep not to long after her head hit the pillow.

A/N: I know I didn't include Cloud a whole lot in this chapter, but he and the others will be making more frequent appearances as the story progresses. Yes, I did give Cid and Shera a baby and yes I did make Cloud and Tifa married to each other. There will be another surprise later in the story as well, but I don't want to give anything away so I'm going to stop talking. Again, I'm so sorry for the long wait on this chapter. I feel so bad for making you guys wait on this. Please leave your reviews. I would really appreciate them.