...Oh right,there should be a disclaimer around here somewhere...   

                                                Chapter 11:  I linger in the doorway

Sephiroth reached down and pressed two fingers just below Vincent's jaw. His pulse beat reassuringly against Sephiroth's fingertips. Well that's something. Vincent's hand shot up and encircled his wrist.

"Lucrecia?" His eyes swam out of focus.  Sephiroth pulled his hand away.

"No. Hold on and I'll get Tifa." Vincent sat up groggily. Tifa? What was she doing here? And who is that? His eyes caught a glimpse of  silver and black as Sephiroth left the cave,  running.

Sephiroth?! Vincent reached for his gun, suddenly feeling alot more clear headed.

                                                                ~

"Tifa!" She looked up,startled as Sephiroth ran towards her.

"I need your assistance.  Now." She jumped to her feet.

"Sephiroth? What's wrong? Did something happen?" He'd already turned away as she followed.

He stepped into the cave, jerking back as a bullet ricocheted off the wall beside him. Tifa stumbled into him as he jumped back from the entrance of the cave.

"What the hell was that? Sephiroth, what's going on?" He pulled her back, out of sight of the entrance.

"Vincent. He was hurt. Lucrecia isn't in there and he doesn't seem too happy to see me."

Tifa groaned. "Alright. Stay here."

"Vincent? It's me, Tifa." She called out before stepping into the cave, the palms of her hands facing out in front of her in what she hoped was a calming gesture. Vincent kept his gun trained on her.

"Hello Tifa. Would you mind coming over here please? Sephiroth is out there."

"I know he is Vincent. I brought him here." He looked at her, disbelief etched on his face. Wow, is that a facial expression I see on Vincent? She giggled, she couldn't help it.

"May I ask why you are travelling with him and how is he still alive?"

"Short answer, Cloud didn't kill him as completely as one might think, he showed up in the mansion and  I brought him here to meet his mother." She shook her head and sat down next to him. Vincent shifted his aim to the doorway. "He's changed Vincent. He's the... old Sephiroth again." She noticed his gun was still pointed. "And he's not going to try and kill you so would you please lower that gun?!" She said, sharply.

 He did, that one gesture showing how much trust he'd built up with her, being the only member of AVALANCHE to give him the time of day back in their quest to save the planet. She said their old enemy had changed and he accepted  her word with out question. It was a rare thing, that kind of faith. It made him almost wish that he'd tried to keep in touch with her after they all went their seperate ways.

She relaxed a notch. "Thank you Vincent, I know how hard this is for you."

"If you say he has changed then I believe you Tifa. Sephiroth, you may come in."

Sephiroth entered the cave upon hearing this, looking at Tifa questioningly. She nodded and he walked over to them.

"Are you alright?" Vincent got to his feet,using the wall as a support.

"I will be fine."

"What happene-"

"Why don't you let me cure you first before telling us what happened?" Tifa interrupted. Without waiting for an answer she focused on her materia. A soft glow surrounded Vincent briefly before disappating.

"Thank you. As to what happened.." He hesitated,not sure whether to tell them or not. He was still confused about what happened himself. Lucrecia was alive? And not only alive but incredibly powerful. And where had she gone? What were her plans? He sighed,  last time he'd had information that might have changed the course of their mission, if he'd cared to divulge it, but he didn't. He wouldn't make the same mistake again.

"Lucrecia attacked me." Sephiroth started at this.

"What?" He focused on Vincent, inperturbed.

"She's changed Sephiroth. Into what I do not know. " He paced, his usual monotone  fraught with agitation."I knew there was something wrong! She'd talk for hours about how I failed to save you both, failed to keep my promise to her. She found it amusing.. And...  she's been argueing with someone inside her head while she sleeps." He shut his eyes. "I fear I have lost her to madness."

Sephiroth's face was carefully blank.

"I see. So it is safe to assume that she is dangerous then?"

"From what I have seen she is to be approached with extreme caution. I do not know where she has gone but it is imperitive that we find her immediately."

Tifa had been listening in silence up to this point, reluctant to intrude on a conversation that she felt she had no place in, but now she spoke up in spite of herself.

"But... how? The last time I came here I was under the impression that Lucrecia was,well, a ghost. How is it possible that she could attack you?"

Vincent stared at her, unblinking. " I have an idea, but I would prefer to research it further before drawing a conclusion."

Sephiroth nodded as if seeing  in Vincent something confirmed in his own mind. A look of understanding passed between the two men.

Tifa looked at both of them,getting the feeling she was missing something.The silence between them stretched. Finally she threw her hands up in  the air in frustration.

"Fine, don't share! Do you know where she might have gone Vincent?"

"No."

"Well then, I suggest that we continue on to Cosmo Canyon. You can research there and we can alert Nanaki to the situation. Any problem with that?"

Neither of them said a word.

"Ok then. Shall we go?"

                                                                                ~

The sun beat down on Tifa as she paused for breath. Wiping sweat from her brow she stared in wonder at the rolling plains of Cosmo Canyon. Harsh red rock seemed to spread out for miles, interrupted at times by the sheer canyon walls. It was an awe inspiring place, completely comfortable in its own wildness, its jagged beauty.

Beside her Vincent halted, shrinking back  further into his blood red cape,away from the almost painfully bright light of the sun. How he could stand to wear such clothing in this kind of weather she'd never know, having relegated her jacket to her rucksack the moment they'd crossed the river and entered into the land surrounding Cosmo Canyon.

He said nothing, just stared at her from behind strands of ebony hair. She sighed and started walking again. Sephiroth strode ahead of them without pausing, scarcely recognising their presence. It had been like this since they'd left the waterfall. Both men preferred to travel in silence and after a few failed attempts at conversation she'd stopped trying, realising it was unwelcome. Still... the apparent gloom surrounding both of them was unsettling, to say the least. She couldn't blame them though, how she felt about this paled in comparison to what they must be going through. So she kept her mouth shut and followed their lead as they walked in brooding silence.

As they approached the long,winding steps hewn into the cliff-face that led to the village, however, Tifa spoke up tentatively.

"Em... Do you think it's such a good idea to just stroll in? Considering who we have with us it might cause a bit of a panic, if you know what I mean..." She trailed off when both men turned to look at her, their expressions cool. She stared back, bemused at the un-nerving resemblance.

The silence stretched taut between them as they considered what she'd said.

"Perhaps you're right. I'll wait here while you and Vincent go and ah, smooth things over."

Tifa set off up the steps, getting a little irritated by the treatment she was getting. Like she was a silly little girl who didn't understand what was happening and was therefore beneath their notice. More then ever she was convinced they were family; it was impossible to have two different men so alike in looks and their brooding, distainful arrogance for them not to be related.

They were met at the entrance by the same guard who'd refused them entrance to the Canyon when they first came there, before realising they were friends of Nanaki. He looked at them with an expression of undesguised suspicion as they approached, relaxing when he recognised Tifa.

"Ms. Lockhart? Is that you?" Tifa smiled inwardly with relief, this would be easier then she'd thought.

"Yes, it's me. And this is Vincent Valentine, also a friend of Nanaki's."

The guard eyed Vincent. "Yes, Nanaki mentioned you. I presume you are looking for him?"

"Yes" said Tifa, taking the lead when it became clear that Vincent wasn't going to answer. " Would it be possible for us to come in and see him?"              

"Of course! Nanaki told me that any friends of his were always welcome here. I believe you'll find him in the observatory. I'm sure you know where that is from your previous visits."

Tifa nodded her thanks as she walked past. Vincent followed her up the steps leading to the observatory, his cloak caressing the red hued rock. They passed through the weapons shop, Tifa sparing a smile and a cheery "hello" for the sole attendant at the register.

 Spotting the ladder that lead to the observatory Tifa motioned for Vincent to go up first, remembering Sephiroth's remarks earlier about having a nice view. She glanced around, making sure no one else was going to take advantage of her short skirt before following him up.                       

Pulling herself up out of the hole made in allowance for the ladder she saw the door to the observatory swing shut and Vincent nowhere in sight. She hurried after him, pushing open the door and throwing her arms around Nanaki's neck, who was waiting inside.

"Nanaki! It's so good to see you!" She flashed one of her trademark smiles in real happiness before releasing him and settling for scratching his ear. He settled back on his hind paws, sitting as he purred deep in his throat, the sound revertebrating through out his body.

"It is good to see you too Tifa. To what may I owe the pleasure of this visit?" Tifa glanced at Vincent who was standing motionless to the side, after already nodding his hello to Nanaki. He cleared his throat loudly, signalling that Tifa should explain.

She fidgeted, her hands clasped behind her back as she thought of what to say.

"Well.. It's a funny story, actually." She gave a nervous laugh. " You see.. Sephiroth is back. But he's not evil!" she finished hastily as Nanaki sprang to his feet. He looked at her questioningly.

"Not evil?"

"No. Look I know how strange this sounds but I honestly believe that he has changed... and we need your help. Something's happened... " She trailed off, unsure of how to phrase Lucrecia's behaviour.

"Something's happened? You  mean something of more importance then Sephiroth returning and being... ah, "not evil",  as you put it?"

"Lucrecia attacked me." Vincent spoke up, abruptly.

"Attacked you? but that means... "Nanaki furrowed his brow.

"She exists on this plane, yes. I assume you have an idea of how that came to pass."

"But... we destroyed her."

Vincent shook his head. " Nanaki, I'm still here and Cloud's still here. Sephiroth was not killed. It is naive to think that she could truly be gone... In face I'm surprised that the thought of her return hadn't already crossed your mind."

"It has." He said, shortly. " Where is Sephiroth now?"

"Waiting for us outside Cosmo Canyon. We didn't think it wise to bring him inside without warning you first."

"Prudent. When you say changed, what exactly do you mean?"

Tifa spoke up, feeling more qualified to answer that then Vincent.

"He was under Jenova's control before. He's not anymore. Nanaki,I've spent the last few days in his presence. In that time he's saved my life more then once. Please believe me when I say he will not do anyone harm!"

Nanaki studied the ground with a pensive expression on his face. " Tifa I would love to take your word at face value but in light of these new events I'm not sure whether he's acting of his own free will or not. Why would she leave Sephiroth alone and instead sought after Lucrecia? It doesn't make sense."

 Tifa stayed silent for a moment, thinking over what had been said. "You.. You're talking about Jenova, aren't you?"

" She is the logical choice for what could be behind this Tifa. Do you remember  nothing of what Sephiroth and Hojo told us last year? I'll let him come inside but make no mistake, I'll be watching him very carefully."

She smiled then, subdued. "I suppose that's the best I could have hoped for. Shall we go get him then?"

"I will. You two must be tired from your journey, why don't you make yourselves at home?"

"I am not tired."

Nanaki nodded his assent, taking it to mean Vincent wanted to accompany him."Alright. We'll be back in a couple of minutes Tifa."

They left as Tifa sank into a chair, resting her head on her arms. This revelation seemed to have drained all the energy from her. Nanaki's words rang hollowly through out her head. What if Sephiroth really was under Jenova's control and this was all a ploy to... To what? Don't be ridiculous Tifa! If he really was doing her bidding why is he with you? Wouldn't he have more important things to do? She reassured herself, trying to ignore the discord that had taken root in her mind. Trying to ignore the little voice whispering that maybe he was just killing time with her, or that maybe this was all part of a plan she knew nothing of. She couldn't begin to fathom the workings of Jenova's mind...

Why Lucrecia? Where was the logic behind it?

She was saved from answering by the arrival of Nanaki and Vincent, complete with Sephiroth.

Vincent returned to his place by the door, sinking into the shadows that fell there. Sephiroth stood in the middle of the room, his body stiff and radiating awkwardness, though he was trying hard not to show it. Nanaki paced.

"Did you have any trouble getting in?" Tifa said, more out of a need to head off the silence that was  threatening to envelop them then out of any real curiousity.

"The guard was a little... surprised at his appearance, to say the least, but I spoke with him and he's agreed to keep it to himself until I've had a chance to meet with the Elders."

"Oh. Well... that's good then."

Tifa started to drum her fingers on the table, uncomfortable, and she wasn't sure why.

Vincent lurked.

Sephiroth stared at the wall.

Nanaki paced.

The noise started to fill the room, its existance dependant on the tap tap tap of her fingers.

"Must you do that?" Sephiroth spoke up out of sheer irritation.

Tifa let her hand fall to the table. "Well how about we decide what to do about this then? Anyone up for that? I'm pretty sure you'd actually have to talk to each other though and I'm not sure if any of you could handle that radical concept."              

Sephiroth opened his mouth, perhaps to snap back at her but Vincent cut across him.

"You have made your point Tifa. We need to decide what we're going to do about this and if we're going to alert the others."

"Let's not worry about that for now. I'd like to know exactly how it is you returned here Sephiroth and what happened in that cave with Lucrecia, Vincent."  Nanaki settled back on his haunches awaiting their answers. "Sephiroth perhaps you could begin."

"There really isn't that much to tell; I awoke in the Northern Crater 4 months ago without a scratch on me."

"And Jenova?"

Sephiroth looked at him directly. "She hasn't spoken to me since before I fought Cloud in the Northern Crater."

"I see. What did you do after you awoke?"

"I left there for Nibelheim." He shrugged. "I wanted to understand fully  the creature who'd effectively destroyed everything I was and the records on her were in the mansion."

"And then you met Tifa?"

"Yes. The general population noticed someone was in the mansion. They sent me to find out who."

"And you found Sephiroth there."

"Well... Sephiroth found me."

"And what happened next?"

"We fought. He pinned me and then he let me go." She glanced at Sephiroth who was studying the floor with great interest. "That was the first sign that he'd changed. He didn't kill me and he could have easily."

It continued like this for awhile, Sephiroth and Tifa alternating in telling what happened next, though leaving out certain information neither particularly wanted to divulge. Coming at last to when they arrived at Lucrecia's waterfall Nanaki turned to Vincent.

"Well?"

"What is it that you want to know?" Vincent said with just the faintest hint of annoyance.

"Tell me about Lucrecia. Did you notice anything strange about her behaviour leading up to this?"

Vincent sighed and pushed himself away from the wall, pacing as Nanaki had earlier. "She was cruel. Malicious. Mocking. Sometimes when she spoke I could see someone else peeking out behind her eyes."

"When did this start?"

He frowned. "About 4 months ago." Tifa resisted the urge to look at Sephiroth. Nanaki did not.

"Interesting. But she didn't attack you before this. Do you have any idea why?"

"No. I don't." He shut his eyes, visualising the cave. "One second she was a ghost, as Tifa put it, the next she was solid. As I understand it she could do this at will and did so when I wasn't there. "

"So why did she stay there? Why did she wait until then? And why did she attack you? She could have simply left one day when you weren't there. But she chose to do it in this fashion."

"It was a message." Sephiroth spoke up. All eyes in the room turned to him. "I can only assume she knew I was coming and that I would recognise her for what she was."

"It seems like she wanted to be recognised."

Sephiroth nodded in affirmation at Tifa. "Yes. But on her own terms."

"From what we know of Jenova that makes sense. She bides her time, does things when they suit her. Now, I would suggest that if we're going to contact anyone it should be Cloud."

Tifa jumped half out of her seat. She felt Sephiroth's eyes on her, his gaze unreadable. "Why? Why do we have to talk to him of all people?!"

"Because, Tifa, he carrys Jenova cells. It is possible Jenova might seek him out and try and control again. That cannot be allowed to happen." Nanaki explained patiently.

"Oh."

"Well no time like the present. Shall we call him?"

"I will." Tifa pulled out her PHS and dialed Cloud's number automatically. Her heart had started to beat at an unnatural pace. The PHS rang and rang but there was no answer. After a minute of ringing she pressed the hang up button.

"There's no answer."

"Damn." Tifa stared at Nanaki, wide eyed. He never swore.

"Does anyone know where he might be?"

"He's in The City of the Ancients. He went there about 6 months ago."

"Then we must go there to find him. Tifa ring Cid and ask him to pick us up in The Highwind at the soonest possible convenience ,if you will."

Tifa punched in Cid's number in compliance. He picked up on the third ring.

"What?"

"Cid? It's Tifa."

"$%£" Tifa, how are ya?"

She smiled at the sound of his voice. She'd missed Cid up to the point where she was glad even to hear his constant swearing.

"I'm fine Cid but we have a situation on our hands. I need you to pick us up at Cosmo Canyon as soon as you can. We need to go to the City of the Ancients."

"Situation? What the ^£$% is goin' on now?Why do you need to go to that freaky place?Who the hell is with ya? Not that spikey haired little %^&* !?"

Tifa hesitated."No Cid, not Cloud. He's in the City. Look I promise I'll explain everything to you when you get here."

"Alright Tifa but I'm not a £$%^&*' taxi. I'll be there in the mornin'."

"Thanks Cid. We'll see you then, take care." She hung up. "Cid's going to come by in the morning with the highwind."

"Alright." Nanaki rose to his feet. "I'm going to speak to The Elders. Sephiroth? Vincent? If you want to come you're welcome. Now, I'll arrange for you to stay at the Inn free of charge. The facillities of the Canyon are at your disposal , but make sure you get a good nights sleep, we need to get an early start tomorrow."

Author's note: I'm so,so,so sorry this took so long to write. I have no excuse but pure laziness. I'm ashamed of me! Well I hope you like it and don't find it too boring.

Thanks for everyone whose reviewed so far and feel free to review again. Later.