Ok people this is the last chapter I have written so far. Now if you want more gimme lots of feedback so I and my muse will feel inspired. I take any type of feedback, because then I know someone's reading it. ^.^ Enjoy!

Chapter 13

The shadows were starting to lengthen has the afternoon stretched on. Much of the hours had been spent trying to figure out what to do next. There were still many questions about what Lucretia's mother had been running from. About the only person they could think of who might have even a few answers was Lasaara but they didn't know where she was.

Some kept tickling the back of Vincent's mind. It had started when Cloud had asked what could have caused the change in eyes color. It finally his him when he was splashing some water on his face. He'd paused to look in the mirror trying to remember what color his had been before the experiments.

Dark chocolate eyes had stared back for a moment but they weren't his eyes. Then he saw his Lucretia's beautiful hazel eyes for a moment. But then he saw a pair of piercing electric blue eyes in the mirror. His eyes had once been that clear electric blue. They were in fact more intense than Cloud's mako enhanced blue eyes. His eyes had changed from that blue to blood-red because of Hojo's experiments. The experiments had so radically altered his body chemistry that it had even affected his eyes.

That was when his quick mind had connected various pieces of information. Lasaara had undergone experimentation too... It was the only logical explanation for her incredible abilities and her eyes. Forcibly he made himself ignore the questions that tried to demand his time.

He found Cid and Tifa in the kitchen talking over cups of steaming tea. It had been at least a year since they had seen each other and they were obviously catching up on all the details of each others lives they had missed. Cloud had gone out to tell the clean up crews that he wouldn't be back to work but to keep up with their duties.

Vincent stood in the doorway his jet black locks falling and framing his pale handsome face. His ruby eyes watched them for a minute in silence. He'd learned lone ago that simply staring was as good as speaking to get attention. After a moment both sensed the eyes on them and turned to look at Vincent.

"I know what happened to Lasaara."

They blinked at him for a moment their thought patterns reorienting themselves. He knew other's minds weren't like his own that they couldn't leave a question unanswered. His mind would often torment him to know the answer to a puzzle or riddle. It was one of many character quirks he had.

"She underwent experimentation when she was with ShinRa. Some form of experimentation similar to my own. That's why she was so fast and agile. The experimentation changed-" Vincent hadn't been rushed has he talked but he'd been moving rather quickly through everything. A sudden clapping from behind stopped him.

"Congratulations Mr. Valentine. You figured out part of my secret but you've barely touched the surface."

Lasaara slowly stepped into the light o the kitchen. She was dressed the same has she had been in Rocket town the short brown hair falling over her eyes and face. There was a calm but slightly amused look on her features has she surveyed her stunned audience. She had her arms behind her back and her lips showed the hint of a smirk.

"What's wrong? Cat got your tongue Vincent?"

"I'll show you what the cat has got!" Cid has recovered from his shock quickly and now his infamous temper was getting the better of him. He was already out of his chair and reaching for his spear. Lasaara tsked and pulled her arm out from behind her back. In her hand she was holding baby Lucretia who stared at them with wide eyes. That had the shock value she had intended it to have. Cid froze his hand a mere two inches from the Venus Gospel.

"What do you want?"

Tifa showed only bravado and a readiness to fight tooth and nail till she got the baby back. In fact only Vincent displayed no emotion. He'd stepped calmly away from the door his mind calculating how much room he had in the small kitchen in case there was a fight.

There was a stalemate for several minutes while each person evaluated their options. Silence was the sole govern in that home. Not even the far off sounds that always accompany a busy city seemed to crack the heavy stillness.

The distinctive tinkle of keys and the sound of a lock being turned brought all eyes to the front door. Cloud was coming in his boots stamping on the doorstep. When he came into the kitchen he froze dead at the scene he saw.

"General Cole..."

"Ah yes the imbecile." She didn't even spare Cloud a glance. Her right hand was hanging loosely by her side but within easy reach of her holstered gun. "You need better locks, their awfully easy to pick." She said it so off hand, like neighbors might discuss the weather. Not emotion entered her cool voice. She displayed only cool battle readiness, she had come expecting a fight and she knew they would fight.

"Don't even try to go for your sword Cloud." Cloud stopped a guilty look on his fine featured face. He'd been trying to work his way to where his sword was lying.

"Now I'll make this simple. I realize each and every one of you wants to rip my throat out and yank this child from my arms. So we'll fight. One of you will stay behind with the baby and I will fight the other three. The fight will be one-on-one. If I win then you will hand over the brat without any resistance."

"What if you run away like last time you soulless harlot?"

Cid almost immediately regretted his outburst when he saw those obsidian eyes flare with anger then narrow coldly at him. She pulled her gun smoothly out of its holster aiming dead center for his head.

"Mr. Highwind if you would kindly let me finish. If I am forced to withdraw then rest assured I will return to fulfill my orders.

She kept the gun aimed at Cid taking slow predatory steps towards him. He was starting the sweat under the dual glare of those pitch black eyes and steadily aimed pistol. She thrust Lucretia into his arms her gun arm never wavering.

"You will watch the child while we battle Mr. Highwind."

She stepped back and casually holstered her gun. Lasaara's black eyes swept over the other three lingering on Vincent. They locked gazes for a long moment. Both of them knew in the end it would come to the two of them.

"Gather your weapons and I will lead you to the battlefield."

Her gaze locked with Vincent's again in a silent battle of wills. Tifa and Cloud ran to get their weapons while the two stared at each other. "It will be you and I in the end Vincent. Always."