A/N: Much craziness in this one. I'm not sure how I want this story to go, I just want to avoid too much fluff. I like switching points of view and time, just let me know if anyone ever gets lost.

9/19/04: Got rid of the annoying $#! stuff...not sure if I needed them before.

DISCLAIMER: I don't own FFVII or its characters. If I did, I wouldn't have as much trouble paying for college as I do.

Chapter 3 – Reunion

Vincent woke up before the sun rose.

I still sleep better on hard ground...He thought groggily, getting up from the floor to put on his cape. He fiddled overmuch with the straps, almost giving up on securing them at all.

Tifa was still asleep on the bed, snoring loudly. He almost laughed at the expression on her face, and the odd angle she slept in.

It's a good thing she doesn't know how silly she looks. Or that I've seen how silly she looks.

He had come into the room late at night. Tifa had been screaming in her sleep again, and he didn't know the difference between her nightmares and reality anymore...

I'd better get out of here before she wakes up. I don't need her telling Cloud I'm obsessed with her or something. He smiled grimly at this thought.

He walked out quickly and closed the door. His Turk training allowed him to do this in near silence, and was good in that she didn't stir. He could still hear her snoring through the door.

On mornings like these, he took walks. New Midgar was a good place for walks, no one paid Vincent any mind. He liked that.

I finally get to see my comrades today. He thought with a dash of happiness. These were his friends as surprised as that made him. He had fought with them, he'd even laughed with them...when the mood suited him.

I guess I can thank Tifa for that reminder. She's so stubbornly loyal, even with me.

He grinned. Their platonic escapades would make one hell of a story someday.

Maybe you should tell Cloud...

No, that's her job. She promised that.

With that, he headed out into the growing light.

Later...

"And you should have seen the look on her face!" Yuffie shouted with more than a little extra zeal. Barrett cringed at this explosive climax to her story.

Vincent observed the little storyteller with an amused look.

Still annoyingly loud.

The group had gathered in Barrett's new house, which was oddly very tidy. Something had to be said for Marlene's housekeeping skills.

"How the fuck are you?!" a rough voice jolted Vincent out of his private joke. He looked up and saw Cid's jeering face, cigarette clamped firmly in his teeth. Vincent smile.

"Fucking great!" Vincent replied, waiting for Cid's laughter. Cid looked like he might have a heart attack.

"Goddamn, I didn't know you cursed!" the pilot laughed, giving Vincent a hearty pat on the back. Vincent coughed.

Still amusing, even after marriage. He looked over at Shera, who was shaking her head slightly. Despite her influence, Cid's old habits were still glaringly in focus.

"So are you going to visit us again?" Shera asked Vincent, slightly nudging herself into the conversation.

"Of course," he replied, "and thank you again for letting me stay a couple years back."

"It was no problem," she replied, "The cap...Cid enjoys your company, if only to get a laugh out of you."

A laugh? Oh, that's right...

"Attention!" Vincent turned his head to the voice...it was Cloud.

Once a leader...always a leader.

"Alright, now that everyone's listening," Cloud said with a confident grin, "I'd like to extend a thank you to all for coming to this reunion. It seems we're only missing Reeve, who's quite busy these days." A series of nods and um-hums commenced.

"I also have something very important to say," and with that he turned to Tifa, pulling something out of his pocket.

"Will you marry me?"

Finally. You're smarter than I thought.

Tifa didn't move for a small fraction of an eternity. She started to move her mouth, but no words came out. Then, in a voice only Cloud could hear, she answered.

"I c-can't."

With that, she rushed out of the room, leaving a confused looking Cloud behind.