( None of these belong to me. They are owned by Squaresoft/enix so I would greatly appreciate it if you don't sue me please thanks) This is my second time writing a fic so bear with me, there's prolly a lot of mistakes in here. Lol no flames please. This is a Vincent/Aeris fic. This is a great fic for all you Vincent or Aeris fans out there... ' oh and another thing.. I know that I'm kinda rushing things and I'm telling the story really fast, but bear with me... I swear, I'll go more into depth and the later chapters will get better! ' Any more critiques or anything could really help me improve my writings.. thanks. Please tell me what you think... I really need the critiques!!! I know, I know, Aeris is always talking about cloud, but these are her thoughts, I mean, what would you do if you were in her shoes? If you don't like cloud, then replace him with someone like, Vincent, or sephiroth.... Wouldn't you think about them all the time? Lol no flames again....!! Aeris is singing a song that will be in the next chapter... so.. I can't give you the lyrics yet... but you can go ahead and play the song if you can find it... it's called "When she loved me..." By Sarah Mclaughlin

Red Death's Love

-LMG-

The following day, Aeris woke up to find Vincent gone. She rubbed her eyes. There were covers over her. She got out of bed and realized that she still had her boots on... How disgusting... wearing boots to bed... She remembered the first time Cloud had gone to her house... he was sleeping in her bed with his shoes on.... She had teased him about that.... Now, she was the one doing it. Aeris blushed at this memory. Cloud... I miss you so much...

Aeris thought about what Vincent said last night. The whole world had moved on... and she was the one out of place.... Why had she been sent back? What was so important that she had to be sent back ten years later? Why didn't the Cetra send her back after meteor? But Aeris knew that things never worked that way, she couldn't change the past, no matter how hard she tried. But maybe there's a chance... that Cloud.. that he had waited... I mean, he did try to find a way to bring her back didn't he? Well, what if this was it?

Aeris knew that she was only fooling herself, but she couldn't stop thinking about Cloud and Sephiroth and Meteor. If Sephiroth hadn't killed her... she would be with Cloud... that was the simple truth.. but now what? What was she to do if Cloud was with Tifa? She couldn't imagine herself being with anyone other than the spikey blond boy she had grown to love.

She kept replaying the memories of her and Cloud in her mind like a reel... She remembered when they went on the rides together at the gold saucer. She had told Cloud that she wanted to "meet" him.... She was pretty sure he knew what it meant... and she laughed, when she thought about the look he had given her. He was surprised that she would say something like that... but it was true.... Aeris would have given herself to Cloud if he wanted her... She loved him that much....

Aeris crept out of bed and stretched. As she did so, she noticed a piece of paper fall on the floor. Aeris picked it up and sees her name on it. She shrugs it's probably from Vincent, telling her that he's in town running errands or something.... Aeris tossed the note on the bed. She headed towards the bathroom. Well, since Vincent wasn't here, she might as well help herself to a nice hot shower.

When she opened the door, she felt warm hot steam go through her body. It was hot in the bathroom, and it was so foggy, she couldn't see anything..

"What's going on here?" Aeris grumbled to herself.

Did one of the pipes leak or something? Maybe Vincent forgot to turn off the water, although she couldn't believe that he would do something so careless. Aeris stepped through the doorway and turned beet red. It wasn't that Vincent forgot to turn off the water, he was still in the shower..

The opaque shower curtains did little to hide his figure. He was completely in the buff!!! His hair was wet, and he didn't have his head band on, he was so in the nude!!

Vincent's red eyes trailed to the door where Aeris stood.

"Aeris..." He called her name.

Aeris was so ashamed and embarrassed.

"Vincent! I'm –I'm so sorry!!!"

She shouted as she ran out of the room covering her eyes. Her heart was beating so fast. What they hell was she thinking? Aeris Gainsborough, how could you!? She scolded herself... now Vincent's going to think she's a pervert or something.

Aeris still had her hands over her eyes.

Vincent called out her name again. "Aeris...."

Aeris quickly responded. "Don't worry Vincent!! I –I swear.. I didn't see anything... I mean.. I mean... "

Vincent sighed, "Aeris, could you please close the door...."

Aeris felt like throwing herself out of a window about now. She had bee so preoccupied with her on stupidity, that she forgot to close the door. She tried to reach for the door without looking inside. After a few seconds, she grabbed the handle of the door and slammed it shut behind her.

Aeris sighed and leaned her back against the door. She slowly dropped to the floor. Oh, god... Vincent's not going to forgive me.... He probably hates me ... she pulled at her hair. What am I going to do?

Her eyes darted around the room wildly. Maybe I should hide? Should I be here when he comes out? What if he yells at me? She got up from the floor and paced around the room trying to come up with an excuse... Aeris stopped in her tracks when she thought of one.

When the door to the bathroom opened, Aeris stormed over to Vincent and cried,

"Why didn't you lock the door Vincent? I mean if you're going to take a shower, then you should at least lock it, so that I don't come in and... see.. you..." She sputtered.

Vincent had a white towel over his shoulders, he was drying his hair with it. He was wearing a black button down shirt, and black slacks. He was in his barefeet.

"I'm sorry, Aeris, I would've locked it, if the lock worked, I left this note for you by the bed, telling you that I was going to use the shower, so that this wouldn't happen."

Aeris smacked her head... so that was what the note said..... she felt like dying now.

"Vincent, you have to believe me.. I really didn't mean to do it intentionally, I mean if I knew you were in there... I really wouldn't have gone in... I swear... I'm really not a pervert!! I don't want to see you naked!!!"

Vincent gave her a funny look. Aeris threw up her hands.

"I mean.. that's not what I mean.. I mean.. I don't don't want to look at your body, it's just that... I shouldn't be.... Oh god... Forgive me..."

Aeris looked down at her feet. No matter how she tried to apologize, she felt like she was digging herself into a deeper hole. Vincent walked by her,

"I guess you didn't get the note.... Maybe I should have put one by the door instead. I'm sorry...." He apologized and went over to his boots.

Aeris stared at his back. Vincent.... I ... she wanted to tell him not to apologize, that it was all her fault for not reading the note. Vincent had took the blame... He saved her from embarrassment... she wrapped a strand of hair around her finger twirling it nervously. Vincent was putting his boots on.

"You should get ready. There are some clean towels hanging up on a bar by the sink," He told her. "I'll wait out here for you..."

Aeris nodded and hurried into the bathroom. After taking a nice warm shower, she came out fresh and clean. She had her hair wrapped up in a white towel. Vincent was standing in front of the window with his hands behind his back. His hair was dry by then, and he had his headband on again. Aeris unwrapped her hair out of the towel. She was trying to dry her hair when Vincent asked her if she was ready. Aeris said yes. She was curious as to where they were going to head next.

"Vincent, where are we going?"

Vincent turned to face her. "We're going to get you some clothes..." He said impassively.

Her eyes bulged. Didn't he remember? She was the girl that walked in on him this morning... instead of yelling or scolding at her, he was going to take her out and treat her?! Aeris didn't understand Vincent's logic at all.

"Vincent, why are you being so nice to me?" She asked him.

Vincent walked towards her with his cape in hand.

"well, we can't have you walking around town in the clothes you wearing...Those clothes aren't going to cut it out here. You need heavier clothes, like an over coat of somekind... to keep you warm, because you can't always be wearing my things... Not to mention, those are the same clothes you died in... "

Aeris shuddered. In a creepy way, he was right.

"yeah, I guess..."

She took the cloak from him. She followed him downstairs. The old man greeted them with a huge smile.

"Ah!! Hearts my boy!!"

"It's Vincent, " He growled at grandpa.

Aeris had to stifle her laughter. The old man came between Vincent and Aeris.

"So, what do the lovely couple have planned on their agenda today? Maybe some skiing? Ooh! Or snowboarding... that's a cool thing for you youngsters to do right?"

Aeris was glad to have some one cheerful to talk to. She was still uncomfortable around Vincent, but not so much any more. Aeris faced the old man.

"Uh.. we're not a couple..." She reminded him.

The old man's eyes grew. "What?! Oh.... I'm soo sorry..!!"

He peered at Vincent. "I know that Hearts, here isn't a talker... but he's not such a bad guy, once you get use to him."

Aeris giggles. The old man was speaking as if he knew Vincent. He turned to Vincent.

"You're lucky!! You should go out with this precious flower before someone picks her up!!"

Vincent crosses his arms stubbornly.

"C'mon, Aeris, we should get going..."

Aeris looked back at the old man and smiled at him kindly.

"Well, it was nice talking to you.... Eh.."

"Oh, everyone calls me Grandpa over here... I suggest you do the same...." He laughed.

Aeris had to admit, the old man really brightened her day. She waved back to the old man as they headed towards the shops. Vincent could care less about shopping... Actually, he hated it, but Aeris really needed to get new clothes.. He couldn't stand to see her in that pink dress. Seeing her like that made him think about Sephiroth.....

Aeris seemed to be enjoying herself. They had been going around town tying to look for clothes that would fit Aeris. The first one they went in, had frilly dresses. Aeris wanted to try one on just for kicks. Vincent refused to sit still and wait for her to try on those ridiculous dresses. Aeris begged him to wait. After she was done, she came out of her stall showing off her dress. It was a long, white, slip on dress. It showed off her curves. Aeris struck a pose. Vincent rolled his eyes and looked away. God he hated this... but he had to admit, Aeris did look... nice....

When they were done with that store, they went on to the next. And so it went on like this for hours, until they were done. Vincent was tired and exhausted from going store to store. True, he knew what to expect when he told Aeris that they were going to shop... but he didn't think it was this much trouble... If he'd known it was going to be like this, he would've just given Aeris some money, and let her go off on her own.

Aeris was beaming with happiness. She had clothes now... real clothes!! Vincent had gotten her three sweaters, two coats, two pairs of boots, five pairs of socks, four pairs of pants, an ear muff, two pairs of gloves, three skirts and five different shirts. Vincent got her some hair bows and a bag just like his, even though it was pink. He even got her a nice dress. It was blue. He'd also gotten her pajamas and other womanly accessories... Vincent refused to go into a woman's lingerie store, so Aeris went in by herself.

After they were through, they had several boxes and bags to carry home with them. They made it back to the inn. They ran into the old man who jumped in delight at their return. He ran towards Vincent with open arms screaming

"Hearts my boy!"

Vincent quickly dodged and the man went sailing by. Aeris looked on with concern, but Vincent quickly ushered her up the stairs. They had made it back. Vincent felt like collapsing on the couch.

Aeris clapped her hands and giggled in delight.

"Vincent... why does he call you Hearts?"

Vincent sighed.

"I don't know Aeris.... I'm tired...."

Aeris shrugged her shoulders. She was defiantly in a better mood now. She had to thank Vincent for his generosity.. yet she had to wonder... how could he afford all of this? Vincent even said himself that he'd been locked away in the coffin... so .. how did he make money?

"Vincent?"

He had his hand over his forehead.

"yes?"

Aeris was on the bed, opening her boxes and looking at her things.

"How can you afford all of this?"

Vincent was massaging his temples.

"Don't worry about that Aeris..."

Still she was curious, so she pushed on.

"But Vincent.. you said that you've been locked up in a coffin for ten years... how could you make any money?"

Vincent shut his eyes. He just wanted to be left alone ... his temples were throbbing from all the shopping...

"I have money Aeris... I have it saved up from when I worked as a Turk...."

Aeris looked at him curiously.. "What do you mean Vincent?"

Vincent looked annoyed his red eyes flaring.

"Aeris, "He said almost raising his tone. "Do you know how much a head's worth?"

Aeris was taken back by his sudden hostility. She shook her head no.

"IT's a lot.. believe me... I've killed so many people, that I became wealthy because of it... so ... that's how... I can buy you pretty things it's because of that... it's blood money..."

Aeris bit her lip and swallowed. She looked at her sweaters and shirts and bows. They were all nice, but after Vincent said those things... she didn't want them at all... Maybe she shouldn't have asked... but... she was curious... Curiosity killed the cat, a little voice taunted her. Aeirs felt like crying... Vincent had yelled at her... She didn't deserve it, she was just trying to talk to him... he seemed so pleasant this afternoon, why the sudden change? She closed her boxes and put them away in a corner.

She looked over at Vincent, he looked like he was having a headache. He was taking off his head band. When he did so, his hair fell over his eyes. HE had a lot of hair. His face looked small and pinched. She looked down at her feet, and then up again.

"Vincent... are you feeling well?"

He shifted his body so that he was laying on the couch.

"Aeris.... " He whispers her name, "I'm sorry... I just need some time by myself...."

Aeris nodded. If he's got a headache, he should really be lying in bed.... He could be sick...Aeris got up from the bed and walked over to Vincent. She knelt down on her knees.

"Vincent.. you should really sleep in the bed... I mean if you have a headache... you should...It'll probably make you feel a lot better."

Vincent shook his head. "No... It's alright... it's just a little migraine.. it'll go away...."

Aeris didn't think that shopping would over exert the dark man... She had a funny thought, and it almost wanted to make her laugh, despite Vincent's unfriendly disposure. He was an ex-Turk, and he fought Sephiroth, that didn't bother him... yet going shopping with her gave him migraines? She tried to make him go to her bed, he protested, but when he realized that she wasn't going to give up, he finally acquiesced and went to her bed.

As he lied there, he could smell Aeris in the covers. She smelled like... flowers... lilacs... Her fragrance didn't bother him... he actually didn't mind it... Vincent kept his hand on his forehead. It was a little hot, probably from the shopping extravaganza they went on this afternoon. He could see Aeris over by the window. Vincent examined her. He could tell, that she was pretty. Very pretty.. but he wasn't interested in her like that... The last thing he needed in his life, was to get another person involved in his accursed life.... He really didn't want to drag anyone through his mess.. least of all Aeris. She had been through enough already... Aeris placed her hand on the window and sighed. It sounded heartbreaking... but Vincent ignored it.... His head was driving him insane.... He didn't get it... he'd never had a head ache this bad... maybe he should have stayed in his coffin... then maybe this wouldn't have happened.... Vincent knew it was a fools wish and he rarely ever made any, except for when it came to Lucrecia and his past.

Aeris looked over at him concerned. She walked over the bed and sat down on it. She placed her hand on his forehead, he let her. His head felt warm. She smiled down at him.

"I think you have a slight fever, Mr. Hearts...."

Vincent looked into her eyes wearily...

"Not you too..?"

She shook her head.

"Don't worry, it'll go away in the morning.... It serves you right for not wearing your coat...." She chided.

His head rolled over to the side, on the pillow.

"Well, what was I suppose to do? Let you freeze to death while we walked around town?"

She brushed back his stranded locks gently.

"It's ok Vincent, you just need a good nights sleep, and you wont get it on that couch...."

He tried to lift himself out of the bed, but Aeris held him back.

"But Aeris, where will you sleep... " She just smiled prettily and said. "Don't worry about me, Vincent, I'll be fine.. you just rest..."

He sighed heavily and fell back into the softness of the bed. He closed his eyes. He could hear Aeris moving about the room. She was humming something... probably a lullaby of some sort. It sounded real nice. He felt her put something cold and wet on his forehead.

Then he heard her casting a spell and ...

Nothing...

He was enveloped in a world of darkness....

-End-