Chapter 21 – Breakfast Thievery

She laughed and headed out, thinking on her way to her room that she should just let the evidence of the previous evening's events tell everyone exactly what had happened between them. It was tempting but she doubted Vincent would appreciate it. She hoped that was because he was a gentleman and not because he was ashamed.

Still, there was something different about him. He seemed refreshed somehow. It was subtle and she wouldn't have been able to detect the difference if she hadn't already known him for years. Over the last few days he had been beaten down by their recent troubles and the emptiness that filled his soul had nearly consumed him. Now, he seemed to have a reason to fight back.

Tifa enjoyed entertaining the idea that she had something to do with that change while she showered and got dressed. As unlikely as it was, it would have been nice to think that she had given him a reason to stand up to their enemy. He had her strength and support but it would ultimately take much more than that to heal his wounds. She didn't know if she was ready to give him that, or if he would even take it.

Gods, woman. It was just one night of great sex, and here you are already thinking about the future. You don't even know if he regrets it. She laughed at herself. They had a hard fight ahead of them. She couldn't afford to worry about the repercussions of an intimate relationship with anyone – let alone Vincent Valentine – until she was sure they'd all make it out alive. He'd made it clear to her minutes ago that he wasn't going to let whatever he felt about the whole thing destroy his focus on what was to come.

If that was how he chose to deal with it then she would be damned if he'd see anything less from her.

Tifa threw on a fresh t-shirt, loose shorts, and her leather vest and made it to the mess hall with three minutes to spare. She took a chair between Yuffie and Shelke, directly across from Cloud. Yuffie set a plate of scrambled eggs and a sweet roll in front of her and she took it gratefully. Vincent and Cloud were discussing their options for the best way to approach Mount Nibel while Cid was listening in and sucking on a cigarette – breakfast of champions.

"You think it'll be faster taking the road from the Rocket Town side?" Cloud questioned Vincent.

"Yes. The bridge to the reactor coming from Nibelheim hasn't been rebuilt yet. It will be faster if we take the west road, even with the extra flying time."

"I thought you wanted to stop by the Shinra mansion and check the basement for any records?"

Vincent shook his head. "I've already spent enough time there to know that we won't find anything we don't already know. If there's anything of use to us, we'll find it inside the reactor."

Cloud was obviously a little disappointed but he let it go. It would have been nice to see his home town again, even if it was full of painful memories. "What about Cosmo Canyon? We could ask Red if he wants to join us."

"We don't have time for that, now. Melios moves fast and I'm certain that he knows we're moving as well. We need to work with what we already have or we'll lose whatever ground we still have left."

"Dammit, Vince. You make it sound like this thing is some kinda fuckin' demon." Cid bit down on his cigarette and didn't notice Yuffie next to him eyeing his untouched roll. He pulled the cigarette out of his mouth between two fingers and pointed it at Vincent. "My Shera's the fastest damn thing in the sky. Are you tellin' me we can't out run one little clone?"

Vincent met Cid's blue eyes and held them. "This isn't just a clone, Cid. He's more than human. Calling him a demon may very well be accurate."

Cid wasn't fazed in the least and shoved his cigarette back in his mouth, grumbling around it. "Whatever he is, we'll beat him to the punch. I don't care how fuckin' fancy he is, he can still bleed." He let his guard down long enough for Yuffie to snatch his roll with lightning reflexes. "What the-!"

Cid reached for it but Yuffie twisted away as she tore off a piece and popped it in her mouth. "I wasn't done with that."

Yuffie giggled and got up to take her prize to safety, followed by Cid's growled, "Damn kid. I oughta make her sleep in the cargo hold."

Tifa grinned. If either of those two ever realized how fond of each other they both were, things would get interesting indeed. Though, certainly not the way things had become interesting between herself and Vincent. She picked at her own roll and watched what she could see of the side of his face as the men continued their discussion. Cloud was currently talking.

"Alright, so we'll take the west path. Cid, how close can you get us to the reactor from there?"

Cid took a drag while he thought about his answer. "I'd have to check the map but I'm pretty sure the closest I can get us is where it starts at the bottom. Ain't enough room to land any closer than that."

"That should be fine," Cloud said after considering it. "That should still cut our travel time in half."

Vincent cut in. "Can you lead us up that trail, Cloud?"

Cloud frowned. "Yeah but you've been through that way before, Vincent. You know it as well as I do."

"I've only been down that road once, and that was going the other direction. I have a good memory but I have to admit that I don't remember much about that place. You know the path well enough to get us there faster than anyone else."

Tifa took that moment to chime in. "No he doesn't." All three heads turned to face her and she smiled. "Did you forget that I was the best tour guide in the entire Nibel area?"

Cloud smirked, "That's right. Sorry, Tif, I guess I forgot."

"Then would you mind leading us up the mountain?" Vincent asked.

"Not at all. I'll get us there in no time."

Cid stood up, crushing the butt of his spent cigarette on the rim of his plate. By now, most of them had finished breakfast. "It'll be another couple hours 'fore we get to our landin' spot. I dunno about you kids but I need to go beat somethin' up. Cloud, why don't you tag along, you look bored." It was Cid's way of saying he was out of practice. Cloud smiled a challenge at the older pilot and received a flash of teeth in return.

"If anyone else wants to watch me put this kid in his place, we'll be in the rec room."

With that, everyone excused themselves and went their separate ways. Vincent walked beside Shelke as she followed Cid and Cloud. She had remained silent throughout the entire conversation and Tifa had almost forgotten she was even there at all. She caught Shelke saying something about practicing with her sabers before they were out of earshot. Tifa had never actually seen Shelke fight with her weapons before and decided she would stop by to see what the girl could do with them.

Yuffie came up behind her and poked her in the ribs, making her jump. The girl smiled and waggled her eyebrows at Tifa. "So? How'd it go?"

Tifa feigned innocence. "How'd what go?"

"You know, last night?"

"It went." Tifa kept any hints hidden knowing that it would drive Yuffie crazy. The girl crossed her arms in frustration.

"That's all I get?! I saw the way you looked at Vince when you sat down."

"And how exactly did I look at him?" Tifa peered at her, trying to appear offended.

"I dunno, but it seemed to me like either something really bad or really good happened. So which is it?"

"A lady doesn't kiss and tell, Yuffie." That was the wrong thing to say.

Yuffie's face lit up like a light bulb and she bounced on her heels. "I knew it! Wait till I tell everyone! Tifa's in looooove."

"Oh no you don't!" Tifa rounded on her with her hands planted firmly on her hips. "I never said anything like that and if you tell anyone what I just said, I'll tell everyone that you like Cid."

Yuffie gasped and narrowed her eyes. "You wouldn't!" she hissed.

"Try me."

"Ohhhh! If you do that, I'll kick your butt from here to Wutai."

"You think you can take me on?"

"I know I can!"

"Fine, you're on!" Tifa snatched Yuffie's hand and dragged the girl out of the mess hall in the direction of the Shera's recreation room.