-1Chapter Fourteen: Hot and Cold

"When you are in Love you can't fall asleep because reality is better than your dreams."

-Dr. Seuss

"I knew he'd betray us." Yuffie was quick to repeat. "All cause he dropped me and broke my ankle. I know he did it on purpose."

"We don't know he did or didn't do anything." Red Thirteen injected, his muzzle drawn into a vague from for the canine like creature. "Just that he left. It could have been the consistent threats to his life and well being in general. He didn't do anything aggressive, he simply left."

"Yeah well, sure did something before he left." Yuffie answered putting her hands on her hips. "Have you seen the way Tifa's walking around on the ship sense we were picked up? Even when she first came back she was real quiet and distracted."

"She could just be worried herself that he's been captured again." Red Thirteen pointed out reasonably. "Either way assuming he's betrayed us in any way when he attacked no one and has helped us thus far is foolish. He even saved Tifa according to her. We should be more concerned he could have fallen back into the enemy hands where they want to brainwash him to do whatever they want."

"But…"

"Red is right." Cloud interrupted before Yuffie could keep protesting. "Much as I don't want to admit it he's more of a danger if they somehow become able to control him. Tifa believes he was honestly being controlled by Jenova, and his actions to help destroy what pieces remain have only backed that up. He even hesitated when it came to the final piece only because it could result in someone else's death. It is extremely likely it's not just some random story."
"He could have left cause he wasn't sure how to deal with the Lucrecia thing." Cid commented and took a small drag on his cigarette thoughtfully. "Hard to say with a guy like him but I know it'd freak me out if I found out who my real mother was and she was holding the last part of something I hated that much."

"Yeah." Barret agreed with a frown of his own, scratching his beard with a hand and glancing down the hall to make sure that Tifa was still in her room instead of approaching. "I dunno, the guy was never really a team player right. Maybe he'd just still trying to fix things on his own."

"Which is still stupid as she said he's not well yet." Yuffie jumped on the chance to insult him. "If he gets caught or already is it'll make it even worse on us. They could have got him in the alley with those command word things she talked about while she was cleaning stuff."

"I finally heard word back on Vincent." Cait Sith commented as the doll joined the group riding on his fat mog. "Last we heard he was in the city on the northern continent, apparently he planned to do research in the crater. That was a couple weeks ago however and there is no further contact we are aware of."

"He didn't tell anyone?" Cloud asked, glancing around to see the various forms of 'no' and slightly confused expression of the group. "We'll need to head up there anyway then, see if he is all right."

"Agreed." Barret nodded, glancing after cid who was heading to change course. "What about Tifa? I mean, you think she'll be all right? She does seem pretty down."

"I'll try talking to her." Cloud said after a moment, it was better than letting Yuffie volunteer after the last couple hours of arguments. He headed from the group with what they'd decided in place and to the room where Tifa was staying. He hesitated outside a minute before knocking.

"Come in."

The silent call was enough for him though and he stepped inside, where Tifa was sitting quietly on her bed staring at the wall. He was never good at this thing, half the time people had to try to cheer him up. This was backwards having to cheer Tifa up.

"You gonna be okay?" He sat down next to her, watching her drawn face and frowning a little.

"I dunno." Tifa sighed. "It's my fault he ran off. What if they capture him?"

"We'll deal with it." Cloud said without missing a beat, he was good at confidence if nothing else. Just depended on the circumstances. "It's not your fault though. No one can say what he thinks, though I guess none of us helped with all the threats like Red mentioned. You are the least likely of any of us to be at fault for it."

"No, it is my fault. You don't understand." Tifa said, hesitating on mentioning having kissed Sephiroth.

"Why?" He watched her face in confusion.

"I kissed him Cloud." She shook her head even as she said it. "I didn't really mean too, but it just sort of happened…and then he left. He took off cause I freaked out about it."

Cloud was her oldest friend in the world, if she couldn't trust him she wasn't sure who to trust. Not telling anyone would drive her mad.

"You…kissed Sephiroth?" Cloud had a slightly disgusted expression on his face. He was more surprised than she was by it. He'd always known she liked him but never really felt about her in a romantic way, he'd been so preoccupied with Aeris that he had never considered the fact Tifa wouldn't wait forever. Being passed over for Sephiroth also was just another sting to his pride.

"I don't know why…it just…sort of happened." Tifa said, frowning at the way he reacted. "I shouldn't have though…"

"I'm sure it's fine Tifa." Cloud reassured as best he could, pushing his own problems away for the moment so he could help her. Tifa was his friend if nothing else. "Maybe he was just afraid he'd put you in danger…it'd be uncharacteristically moral of him."

She snickered just a bit at Cloud's attitude. "I suppose…I'd just like to find him if possible…where we going now?"

"After Vincent." Cloud answered with a shrug. "If his goal was to destroy the remains of Jenova then it is reasonable we might find him in the same search. Either way this seems the next best step. I doubt we'll be free of him whatever happens. At least I won't, I think I'm cursed with him."

"I guess." Tifa answered, glancing back at Cloud. "I don't want to see him get hurt cause of me."

"Tifa…" Cloud frowned at that. "You should be careful okay? I figure we'll see him again but I don't want him to hurt you."

She leaned over and hugged Cloud, he settled a hand over her with a frown when she sighed, things were always more complicated than they needed to be. "Thanks Cloud."

ooooo ooooo ooooo ooooo ooooo ooooo ooooo

"I always liked it here." Tifa commented lightly, smiling at the snow falling from the sky despite the sunlight reflecting off the already snow covered roads and roofs of the small northern city. She was with Cloud and Red, the rest of the group waiting further away with the airship as it couldn't land just outside with all the snow of the area. If they weren't able to find anything they could communicate it back to Cait Sith and he could try to find any other leads while they took the day or so trek it would be to return.

"It's too cold." Red didn't complain often but he didn't wear clothing like the rest to help keep him warm and his normal climate was the desert. He was only along to continue to observe and keep Yuffie away as she was likely only going to say something to further make Tifa annoyed. It was better for her to get the small peace of mind traveling with quieter people would offer. "I'm heading to the inn for a while and I'll find out what I can there."

It was surprising how many people would actually speak to him after the events of Meteor had managed to make their tiny group a little famous. Better than people screaming monster or gawking as much as they used to. The gawking was still commonplace but he often received some small measure of respect at the very least.

"I'll head to the old residence where Professor Gast lived with Aeris' mother." Cloud answered figuring it was the best hideout for Vincent if he was really here. "Do you want to help with any supplies we'll need?"

"Sure." Tifa nodded, warming gloved hands and walking toward the shop with the old man and his granddaughter as the three of them split off. A day or so of travel had left her in better spirits, she was still conflicted as to what had happened but she was glad to be in a place she hadn't visited in ages. She remembered it fondly enough and when they had been here last the trip hadn't allowed them much time while they were being pursued, hopefully this time she'd be able to relax a little more while they tried to find Vincent.

The inside was much warmer than the out and she saw a flicker of movement vanishing up the stairs as she slipped in. Otherwise the building was much as it had always been, the old man was sitting in his chair asleep with his granddaughter sitting nearby now with a small counter of her own. She was probably a young teenager by now but still helping out, just how these small towns tended to work. Likely she'd inherit the place one day.

She looked incredibly nervous though, her face pale as if she'd seen a ghost one moment then turning a deep shade of pink. Tifa blinked a little. "Hey are you okay?" She glanced at the steps where someone had vanished and back to the girl.

"Fine." Her voice was a little unsteady but as she repeated it she grew more confident. "Fine. Can I get you anything miss?"

"We need a few potions and trail supplies, we aren't going into the mountains yet but if you have climbing gear I may be back in a couple hours for things." Tifa said, returning to business as that seemed to be what the girl wanted. She probably had a boy here when she wasn't suppose to, young love.

Tifa smirked a little at the idea, at least some people had it a lot easier than she did. She picked up what they needed at the moment and looked over the gear they might need later, not buying anything yet but just adding things in her head before paying for the current needs and heading back into the cold weather.

She smiled despite the small shiver, it was a calming place. Kids were tossing snowballs at each other along the main road which was so covered it really wasn't much of a road, just a small part of it had been cleared for local traffic. It was the sort of feel Nibelheim had sometimes in the winter…back before everything had gone so poorly.

The inn had the feel of a place people came to relax and escape the intense chill of the outdoors, it was so immediately warm with the several fireplaces she had to loosen her jacket and take the gloves off. Red was speaking with two men at a table in a corner, a good sign, she took the time to go get them a few rooms so she'd have somewhere to stash the fresh bags of goods. Three rooms were just what was left so it was well enough, it was still before the harsh of winter so likely the rest of the rooms had been taken by various traveling merchants, it was a common thing before winter hit full on.

By the time she'd set things down and returned to the common area she was greeted with the sight of Cloud coming in with Vincent at his back. At least they hadn't wasted their time coming here, if things were lucky for them they wouldn't have to try to climb the mountain again. That hadn't been an experience she'd enjoyed and not something she had any desire to repeat.

"Vincent, how are you?" She asked as she joined them at a table, Red heading over shortly after and hopping onto a chair.

"I've been better." He said quietly, not tugging down his scarf, which left it in it's normal position almost completely over his face. "I came across Sephiroth. I wouldn't have believed it but Cloud just said that he's returned."

Tifa blinked quietly, Sephiroth had left and already found Vincent that quickly? How on earth could he have done it? They only found him because of the connections to the turks and some of the information network of the Shinra through Cait Sith.

"I'm not sure how he could have found him so quickly either." Cloud spoke an answer to Tifa's surprise aloud. "Either way Vincent was less than kind and the two fought for a short while before Sephiroth left."

"He wasn't really fighting me as defending himself." Vincent said, looking away from them and to the waitress nervously delivering hot chocolate to them all. "I attacked him after he asked me where Lucrecia was. I feared the worst…"

He had grown quiet but there was a deeper nervousness there that Tifa had to frown at, Sephiroth must have told him about her and the part of Jenova still in her body already.

"Is it true? About Lucrecia?" Vincent asked as if on cue.

"I read the file myself." Tifa answered with the same frown. "Unless the report was a lie then yes…I'm so sorry Vincent."

"No…" He shook his head. "It isn't you to blame Tifa. I should have suspected something more was wrong than just what Hojo had done with Sephiroth…she'd never had any sort of abilities to see the future before then. I just…if I could have done something then things could perhaps be different."

"Did you tell him where Lucrecia was?" Red asked getting back on track as best he could.

"I don't know." Vincent answered with a shrug. "I am not certain if she is even still alive. Though I do know a few places she might possibly be hiding if she is. If we could help her somehow, or even put her out of the misery of her demented mind, then I would prefer t do that. Adding to my sins or not I hate to think she still suffers."

Tifa was quiet, looking incredibly sad, it was impossible not to feel pity for Vincent after all that had happened and he still had to suffer. Cloud was also silent, Red had to move things along again.

"Where do you believe she might be?" the dog-like member of the party asked seriously. "If you didn't tell him then he isn't going to be ahead of us. It would probably be best if we found her before Sephiroth under the circumstances."

"He doesn't know anything. I wouldn't tell him and he left, he was impressive though…he dodged almost every shot I made." Vincent commented. "He stated he was no longer under Jenova's control but I just attacked him…"

"It was wise." Cloud answered with a shrug. "I did the same thing. Did you injure him?"

"I believe a few shots got through toward the end of the shuffle. The town is still unsure what happened but they've been a little more nervous sense yesterday when we fought not far from here." Vincent explained with a shake of his head, ignoring the hot chocolate in front of him while the rest drank. "I'm not sure where he is staying as I've already looked through the inn rooms and none of the locals would likely take him in willingly. He could be forcing someone to give him shelter."

"We'll need to ask around…find him if we can before the enemy does." Cloud said seriously, trying to not note the grateful glance Tifa sent him. It still bothered him that she apparently liked the bastard, but he couldn't judge her for it, he still hadn't fully gotten over a girl that never had even loved him to begin with. "Red, can you ask the locals for anyone asking stranger than usual or doing things out of the norm? I know you hate the cold."

"Sure thing. I'll meet you all back here." He hopped down, heading for the basement lounge where people were drinking, alcohol tended to loosen lips.

"Vincent and I can check the outer area around here, hopefully we can rent a couple snowmobiles. There aren't many outer homes or cottages but I know there are at least some. I can take the east and you the west. There aren't any down the mountain or out in the fields." Cloud stated standing up.

"As you wish." Vincent commented glancing toward Tifa and back to Cloud.

"What about me?" Tifa asked before Vincent could.

"Ask around town, Vincent probably already frightened people and you'll have a better sense of if something is amiss than most of us I think." Cloud answered. "Just be careful. We still don't know what he'll do Tifa…"

"Yeah right, you guys be careful too." Tifa said, heading out and away, a little annoyed at his protective attitude. Normally she would have loved the attention but him being nice just because he thought she liked someone else instead pissed her off a bit. He was her friend and he'd been pretty quiet about everything and while he didn't openly say it she could tell he was somewhat offended she said she'd kissed Sephiroth.

"It wasn't like I did it completely on purpose." She thought in annoyance as she walked toward the front of the town to start with the buildings there. "Sephi…he's just really handsome and he was staring at me like he wanted to ravage me right there in the alley. If that woman wouldn't have yelled at us I'm not sure we wouldn't have…"

She blushed at herself and pressed on. "Still though, Cloud never even looks at me. He only ever stayed with me that one night before the final battle…probably because he thought we would die and he wouldn't have to deal with it."

The idea still stung a little, even after all these years she'd never brought it up and he'd ignored it the entire time. It made her flinch as she considered it. She'd basically asked Sephiroth to do the same thing when it had hurt her so much…

"I suck." She sighed as she moved back into the shop to ask them if they'd missed any locals the last day or two that come in commonly. Surprised to find only a sleeping old man and no young girl, she walked in and looked around about to call hello when she overheard the girl upstairs.

"You probably shouldn't stay here…I need to go check on the customers…" The girl appeared at the top of the steps just as Tifa reached the bottom. "Hello miss, did you need the climbing equipment after all?"

Then it clicked and she put her hands on her hips. "Who do you have up there?"

"None of your business miss." The teenager answered. "Was there something else you needed to buy?"

She closed the door behind her and moved down the steps even as Tifa started up them, shaking her head. "I need to know who's up there. Is it a man with long silver hair?"

The way the girl's eyes widened Tifa knew she was right about it. "No."

"It's okay, I'm his friend…is he hurt?" Tifa figured it was best not to start any extra trouble.

She seemed to relax when Tifa said she was a friend. "Yeah…go on up…second door there where I left…I hope you can help him."

Tifa raised a brow at the comment, moving up while the girl returned to the counter and blinking at the scene of Sephiroth on the bed. Most of his armor was nearby and there were several gunshot wounds still healing along most of his left side and a few places on the left. His eyes were closed and there was a wet rag on his forehead where the bandages that were on his shoulder and chest were fresh, the girl must have just changed them. He was apparently lucky she'd taken him in, how that came to pass she wasn't sure but she sat down in the chair near the bed.

"I thought you needed to attend your shop." Sephiroth said, he hadn't opened his eyes yet. "I appreciate your concern but I'll be out of your hair sooner if you allow me to rest."

"We'll get to do that on the ship." Tifa commented, smiling lightly when he jumped a bit and started to sit up before wincing and laying back down. Staring at her with a frown. "Why did you leave?"

"It was best." Sephiroth answered. "I thought to find a place to hide out but this problem is mine to resolve so I thought I could travel to the northern crater and search for any clues that remained there. It could be a base for the new problems as no one else would want to go to such a large gathering of mako energy but those already exposed."

Tifa eyed him skeptically, not sure what to believe as she dug through her pack for her Curaga leveled materia more absently.

"I was attacked by Vincent mostly on accident. I didn't know he'd be here, when I mentioned Lucrecia he began shooting. I didn't get too horribly injured until one of the teams sent for my retrieval attacked later." He answered. "There are a few dozen men dead in the western forests. Most of them were well trained."

"Curaga." Tifa mumbled, holding the materia close so the green energy could travel along his form closing wounds and healing over scars. It wouldn't completely mend broken bones but it did an exceptional job of making him better than he'd been. He had closed his eyes again by the time the spell stopped. "You should stay with us this time…I'm sorry that I scared you off…It was childish of me to ask you to just forget about what happened."

"You are extremely curious Tifa." Sephiroth stated opening a single eye to consider her again. "You want me with you even though it could be dangerous…why?"

"I just do." Tifa answered with a shrug. "I'm not sure yet exactly why but I don't want to see you get hurt anymore…"

"Not a likely scenario even if we stay together." Sephiroth commented. "It is unwise for everyone for me to stay away however…not while my health is still questionable. I do not want to be the reason you are hurt or lose any of your friends."

She blinked a little, surprised at the sentiment and smiled at him. "Maybe we're both just crazy."

"Also a likely possibility." He agreed, pushing himself to sit and balancing. "Thank you for the spell, I hadn't yet picked up a cure materia."

"That wasn't a good idea." She pointed out with a smirk despite the slightly dirty glance she got.

"Yes, I am aware…I didn't want to disturb you anymore…so I left." He shrugged once, seeming uncertain of what else to say then finishing with. "Could you wait outside so I could get my armor on? Unless you plan to watch."

She blushed and exited, standing on the landing of the steps, leaning against the wall and considering quietly. "He wanted to leave because I seemed worried? So he does have feelings for me? What now then?"

She didn't have time to dwell as she saw Reno and Rude heading in from outside and she could guess why the Turks would be there.

End Chapter

Whew, whopper of a chapter there. I didn't want to leave Sephiroth out for too long considering it is a pairing with him and Tifa. Vincent finally made an appearance as did the Turks in more than just a mention. Good times, moving things right along. Hope I get some feedback!

-Nera

To my reviewers:

broken maelstrom - I know I've been updating like mad! I put them back together pretty quick.

Toya Kei - Yay for all the lovely feedback, it makes me feel warm and fuzzy! Lucrecia was in the crystal cave chilling in the game if you went in with Vincent. She left his final weapon for you. It lead me to believe she was still alive somewhere hiding away from society.