Sorry for the wait guys, I didn't think it would take this much time to write. This chapter was driving me crazy. The stupid computer deleted it by rebooting while I was eating diner, and I lost the spirit to rewrite it until now.

Thanks for the reviews and alerts! :)

Disclaimer: I don't happen to own FFVII.


Don't Speak

"You did what without me?" Tifa was beyond shocked. She looked at me as if I was some random stranger off the street who just asked for her hand in marriage.

You couldn't really blame her; it was hard to believe that Vincent would be such a man. Well, that didn't sound right. He was a man, but he didn't act like one. Not to say he acted like a women- Never mind, I really shouldn't be thinking so hard anyway. I'm just going to confuse myself even more on the issue. Plus, I don't need to start over thinking things again.

Why couldn't my brain just shut up?

"Devised a plan to seduce Valentine." Shelke nodded, trying to further explain what occurred yesterday.

"And so far it worked?" Tifa was truly dumbfounded.

"Yes." Shelke and I grinned, victory was very sweet.

"Wow." Tifa whispered, amazed by our story.

"So, the diner party on Friday?" I asked, wondering if she was going to help out.

"Hell yes!" Tifa responded, "I'm so in, it is not even funny!"

And just like that stage two was a go.


"Shelke, you're seriously enjoying this a bit too much." I told her, as she searched through the towels in the bathroom closet.

"I'm trying to find one that is tiny but not hand towel small. He might catch on if we are too obvious." she said, grabbing a baby blue towel and throwing it at me.

I swear Tifa had more than a million towels stuffed into this closet. If there was a sudden towel shortage I would definitely know where to go.

I wrapped it around me, completely use to the process by now. We had been doing this for about an hour. Trying towel after towel. Shelke was, without question, a perfectionist. The towel this time almost reached mid-thigh, showing off my legs like Teef and Shelk wanted.

"Perfect! Take that one." Shelke stood up from the ground, an evil smile across her face.

"Finally! Now let's go see if Tifa finished picking out an outfit." I smiled back, placing the towel in my designated cabinet.

Shelke nodded and followed me out of the bathroom and into the hallway. We walked until we got to the last room on the left, where our room was located. I opened the door to find Tifa smiling on the bed.

"Took you long enough." Tifa said, while hopping up off the bed. The outfit she pulled out was lying on the bed, behind where she had been sitting.

"We still have an hour before everyone gets here." Shelke informed us.

Tifa nodded before pointing to the outfit, "Do you like?"

I walked over to the bed and examined it. A simple ruby red wife beater and black shorts with crystal buttons. I was a bit surprised by Tifa's choice; I thought she would go over broad. Yet, she didn't.

"That's it?" I asked, looking back over at Teef.

"We can't overdo it." Tifa responded, "Vincent might catch on."

I laughed, "Why are both of you worried about that? Vince would never notice anything."

"I don't know about that Yuff. Vincent is really observant." Tifa frowned.

She stepped over to the dresser and handed me a necklace that was placed on top of it. The necklace had a dark, yet, long chain. If I had put it on it would stop right before my bellybutton. Dangling on the end of it was a blood red rose with a dark green stem. The paint on the rose almost seemed to glow. I couldn't think of any other word other than beautiful to describe it.

"I love this!" I moved closer to the necklace, carefully taking it from Tifa.

Shelke smirked, "If this works you can keep it."

"It's yours?" Shelke didn't really buy darkish things, so I was curious to why she would buy this.

"Marlene talked me into buying it." she shrugged, "I never wore it though, not my type."

"Oh, Marlene does love her flowers." I loved Marlene. She was adorable, and called me 'Fun Auntie Yuffie'. Double cute points in my book.

"Alright girls, let's go down stairs." Tifa said, moving towards the door.

Shelke and I followed, trailing behind Tifa and making our way down the stairs. Instead of heading into the bar, we turned left, opened a door, and entered the living area that was located behind the bar. Business was surprisingly booming in Edge and Tifa used the gil to expand the bar. Creating an open living room, kitchen, and half bathroom on the main floor. This was hidden from customers by a disguised door in the far left corner of the back wall. She also added four extra rooms upstairs, one of which Shelke and I share. Marlene has her own room, and so does Denzel. Oh, of course Tifa and Spike share a room too. Plus, guests. Tifa loves when everyone stays over, it's not every often we all find ourselves in the same place.

Sometimes I can't help but miss the days we were running around chasing Sephiroth. Actually, not the chasing part, only the together part.

"Ready?" Shelke glanced over at me, curious about how I was feeling. Tifa stopped searching for a chip bowl and looked over at me as well.

I grinned, "Do you even have to ask?"

All three of us laughed; probably to the same mental image of Vincent's face after stage two.

Priceless.

Absolutely priceless.


Everyone was scattered around the kitchen and living room. Cid and Barrett were teaching Denzel and Marlene poker on the island; Marlene was murdering them, winning almost every game. Cloud was speaking to Reeve on the sofa, talking about goodness knows what. Vincent and Red were on the opposite sofa, listening in on Cloud and Reeve's conversation, nodding every so often. Tifa, Shelke, and I were handing out glasses of fruit punch.

Shelke smiled kindly at me before handing me two cups full of the yummy red liquid. I gladly accepted them before moving to walk past her. She bumped into my shoulder intentionally, causing me to spill the cold drink down my front, completely ruining my light green tube top and white shorts.

"Eek!" I screeched, it was much colder than I thought it would be. Why the hell would she start the plan so early?

Everyone's gaze and attention shifted to me, and my now see through top. Oh, wonderful.

"Yuffie!" Tifa chided, making her way towards me with a rag.

"Way to go!" Cid laughed at me, and I heard a few other chuckles after that.

"It was Shelke's fault!" I pointed accusingly, a frown firmly placed on my face.

"Why do you blame me for everything?" Shelke asked, using her innocent girl act on Tifa.

"I do not! You bumped me!" I yelled back at her.

"Whatever you say, Yuffie." she rolled her eyes at me, as if I was the one to blame.

"Pffft, okay meanie-"

"Yuffie just go clean up and come back down. I want to start diner soon." Tifa sighed, shooing me up the stairs.

"You guys are sooooo mean!"


I had just finished taking a shower and had a few minutes left before Tifa sent Vincent to call me down for diner. I grabbed my headphones from their place on bathroom cabinet. Putting them on, I set the volume low enough to still hear if someone knocked on the door. Without drying myself off, I wrapped the carefully selected towel around me. I quickly glanced into the mirror, running my hands through my hair a few times until I was satisfied with my appearance.

Soon enough, I heard a knock on the door.

Getting into position, I threw the hairspray bottle onto the floor. It landed with a very loud clank, which would have been easily heard from outside the door. Next, after hearing another knock, I dropped myself after the hairspray bottle trying to fake a fall.

Out of nowhere I heard a loud snapping sound, followed shortly by a sharp pain in my ankle.

Oh shit, not part of the plan!

Vincent knocked again; I made a move to get up but failed miserably. My ankle did not take too kindly to my attempt at standing, the pain immediately intensified.

"Oww!" I cried out, my grip on the cabinet tightening.

Suddenly, the door flew open, letting in a surprised Vincent. Who was watching as I unsuccessfully tried to pull myself up by the cabinet with one hand, while clutching my towel with the other to keep it from falling. It was totally pathetic; my dignity would never recover from this.

Jeez, only I would break something while faking a fall.

"Yuffie?" he sounded worried at least.

I might as well roll with it.

Playing up the tears pricking at my eyes I looked helplessly at Vincent, "Vinnie, it hurts."

He appeared torn, unsure of what to do during this situation. I knew he only had three options: Help me, leave me here and go get either Tifa or Shelke to help, or completely abandon me. I silently prayed in was the first, I don't know if I'd ever be able to live through it if Tifa or Shelke knew what just happened. Plus, my heart would not take the blow lightly if he left me right now.

Finally, he made his way towards me, reaching out and grabbing my hand to pull me into his arms. He carried me easily, making his way out the door and to my room from the hallway. I pushed myself away from him in order to make him pull me in closer.

"Vincent, you're going to get all wet!" I pushed harder, and it worked.

He held me tighter, closer to him. Causing me to instantly wrap my arms around his neck, breathing in his scent secretly. "Do not move around so much, you will only extend your injury."

I nodded into his shoulder, "Sorry Vince."

"Hn."

We got to my bedroom, and Vincent shut the door behind him with his foot. He then gently placed me onto my bed before lifting an eyebrow at the outfit Tifa choose on my bed.

"Um, I put it there before going to the bathroom." I explained, holding onto my towel since it was slipping a bit too much.

"I see." Vincent didn't sound too convinced, so in order to distract him I purposely hit my ankle on the bed. I regretted it instantly, gasping, as my ankle protested in pain. However, it did detour Vincent's attention, his gaze locked onto my injury.

"Stay here for a moment, I will go fetch Tifa." he informed me.

I had to do something to get him to stay.

"Vincent, please, couldn't you heal me?" I asked softly, "My materia is in the chest inside the closet."

He hesitated, hand on the door handle. He turned his head to me and frowned. I must have looked pitiful; sitting there with only a towel covering me, dripping wet hair, and a red swollen ankle.

Yet, he nodded and went to open the closet. I watched as he found a Cure materia, inspecting it before making his way back to my bed. Vincent sat next to me, and tried his best to keep his eyes away from me.

"Leg." he said clearly, his hand out to take it in his grip.

I stretched my leg before placing it into his hand; he carefully cast Cure on my ankle before examining it. After he finished checking, he keep my leg in his grasp- Not that I minded. His touch ghosted over my skin, making me shiver.

"Thanks, Vincent." I whispered a few seconds later.

He jumped up, "Yes, well, I'll see you at diner."

I smiled sweetly, watching as he quickly exited the room.

Someone was a bit flustered. Poor Vinnie.


"Auntie Yuffie?" Marlene asked shyly.

The table went quiet, curious about Marlene's sudden question. She almost never spoke out during diner, so it came as a surprise. I placed my fork down to give her my full attention.

"Yes?"

I really hoped she wouldn't mess this up. She was really nervous when Tifa first approached her with this plan for diner.

"I was wondering- Denzel said- Um, you're flexible right? Because Denzel said that Elena told him you could touch your head with your feet. I don't believe it, but he said it's true. I thought maybe you wouldn't mind showing me if you can or not." Marlene muttered out quickly, not once looking at me but rather at her hands in her lap.

Denzel saved me from answering, "It is true! I heard Elena talking to Rude about it!"

"Really?" I asked, "What did she say?"

"That you were 'dancing like a striper' or something." he said proudly.

"Denzel!" Tifa faked outrage at Denzel's language.

"But that's what she said." he responded firmly.

"Well, can you?" Marlene insisted, almost jumping out of her seat.

Dang, these kids could act. Well, Denzel had a reason to act believable. He was getting five new video games for this. Only Marlene would do a favor out of love and loyalty. I think Tifa was right about Denzel looking up to me a bit too much for his own good.

"Marlene couldn't you ask Yuffie later on?" Cloud requested, Barrett nodding his head next to him.

"But I go to sleep after diner, and I might forget tomorrow." Marlene sounded as though someone killed her kitty.

Cloud didn't have a solution, so he looked toward Tifa. Cid chuckled at him, causing Barrett to poke him in the rib.

"Why don't you show Marlene real quick? I don't see the harm in it." Tifa shrugged, giving in.

"Sure thing." I smiled at Marlene as she nearly jumped out of her chair from excitement.

I pulled out of my chair and walked toward the island. Hopping up on it so both Marlene and Denzel could see, I glanced at Vincent. He was looking straight at me, calm as ever. I stretched my right leg before lifting it over my head, and then bent it so my toes touched the top of my head. After repeating this with my left leg, I held them on top of my head for a moment before dropping them and jumping off the counter.

"That was so cool!" Marlene squeaked in excitement.

"I'll teach you how if you want." I offered, taking my seat at the table.

"Really?" Marlene's eyes went wide with wonder.

"Yes, now shut up so we can eat in peace!" Cid answered rudely.

"Cid don't be a jerk!" I yelled back at him.

So everything turned out perfectly, now I just had to make it through the rest of the night.


Shortly after diner, Marlene and Denzel went upstairs for bed. They literally dragged Red with them, not that he minded since he had a soft spot for them. Everyone else had moved into the empty bar, drinking and catching up. I was mostly watching as everyone talked, probably the first time in my life. However, my mind was too busy trying to analyze Vincent's actions throughout the day to care. Time past by promptly and pretty soon it was midnight.

"Hey, Brat?" Cid shouted.

"What do you want, Old Man?"

"Just wondering why Elena was talking to Rude about you in front of Denzel. How would she know you have no bones in your body?"

Fuck you Cid- Out of all the questions in the world. Really? That one?

"Obviously she saw me training at headquarters." I replied, satisfied with my witty cover-up.

"Elena wouldn't be training in the same room as you, Yuffie. Her main weapon is a gun, she doesn't fair all that well in hands on fights." Reeve just had to kill it. "Actually, she detests close contact battles."

Tifa frowned at me; her ass was on the line here too. If Cloud found out we went to a strip club and danced on stage, girl's night would certainly be canceled for a while. I had to think quickly, and not panic, especially the not panic part.

"Well, she changed-"

"Yuffie, don't lie." Demon spoke, her voice dangerously sweet.

Tifa and I looked towards her in horror. She wouldn't...

"Around five weeks ago, we went dancing at a strip club. Well, I didn't dance, just watched Yuffie." Shelke conveniently left out the part where Elena and Tifa danced as well. Oh, and also the part where she was cheering us on.

"What?" Cloud snapped, glaring at us. Reeve was surprised, Cid was pissed, and Barrett's frown spoke volumes. I couldn't even bare to look at Vincent.

"Shelke!" Tifa shouted in outrage.

I was too angry to speak in my defense. I was going murder her!

"You were taking off your clothing in front of a group of men?" Vincent asked, not caring to hide his dislike at all.

"When you say it like that it sounds bad! I wasn't really striping just danc-"

"I don't care for the details." Vincent was clearly upset with me, his tone made me feel absolutely worthless. He got up from his seat without another word and made his way upstairs. My heart was having a panic attack from his absence.

What the fuck is wrong with Shelke? She ruined everything! Why would she bring up that night? We swore to never speak of it again. That wasn't part of the plan at all!

The silence after Vincent left was horribly awkward, but soon enough everyone followed his lead and went off to bed. I was the last to head up, expect for Shelke, who was probably too scared shitless to face me.

Dumb Demon.

I waited for her by the bathroom door, since she would have to pass it to get to our room. I didn't go into the bedroom because I was so drained from the day I feared I would fall asleep before confronting the traitor. I don't know how long I sat there in the darkness, but finally she came along.

"Shelke!" I whisper screamed at her.

She was startled, clearly not seeing me on the floor. "Yuffie?"

"What the hell was that? Why did you mess up the plan?" I demanded harshly while standing up off the floor.

I could barely see her though the darkness, but I got over it quickly.

"Yuffie, calm down. That was part of the plan." Shelke explained, not a care in the world.

I puffed, "Really? I certainly don't remember you mentioning anything about that!"

"I couldn't, I had to insure it went flawlessly. It would ruin everything if Vincent began to doubt your brotherly feelings for him." she said, as if was completely obvious.

"Ugh! You're totally insane! Vincent has no idea I'm trying to seduce him!"

"Then let's keep it that way."

"No, let's not." I sarcastically suggested.

Suddenly, the bathroom light next to us went on, causing both of us to stop our quiet argument and turn to the closed bathroom door. I glanced at Shelke, noticing her confusion, before wondering how the heck anyone got in there without having to push us out of the way. My mind twirled, our room was on the opposite side of the bathroom wall. Was some trying to listen in on our conversation? What for? Who the hell would be able to hear that well anyway?

"Who is-" Shelke's questioned died in her throat as the bathroom door opened.

Vincent, calm as ever, stepped out of the doorway and into the hall.

I wanted to disappear on the spot.

This was not happening right now. No way in hell was this happening right now. No way. It's impossible.

"Have a good night, ladies." Vincent smirked at the both of us before lightly pushing us out of his way and continuing down the hallway. I lost sight of him through the once again lightless hallway, but I swear I heard a light chuckle before the closing of his door.

"Do you think he heard us?" I asked, very afraid of what the answer might be.

"Yes." Shelke gasped out.

Fuck me.

"Oh, please tell me I'm dreaming." I begged to a still shocked Shelke.

"It's highly unlikely that we would both be having the same nightmare." she rationalized, her voice seemed miles away.

"Was that a smirk on his face?" I was horrified by the mere thought of it.

"Undeniably." Shelke seemed to share my horror at the resent occurrence.

"We're so dead."

Her silence meant only one thing.

She agreed with me.

There was absolutely no way we were going to survive this, the odds against us were staggering. Tifa was never going to believe this. Damn, I could hardly believe it and I just witnessed it with my own eyes.

Vincent knows about everything.

And he was smirking about it.

I'm totally screwed.


Well, I guess that's it for now. What did you guys think?

I'm kind of excited- Vincent will be positively sinful in the next chapter. ;)

Till next time,

Nami