Last Chance for Redemption

by Vinny Valentine

It has been another year since the telling of the game. What if the past of Vincent comes back to haunt him? Can he make amends for his actions 30-some years ago? Or is he doomed not to recieve what he longs for? Only time can tell.

1. A familiar image

CHAPTER ONE: A FAMILIAR IMAGE

(note: the italisize/underline is Chaos' talking)

It was midnight in the city of Midgar; the lampposts were shining their light on the deserted sidewalk. Only one figure was out in the pitch-black night. The lone person walked silently on that loathsome sidewalk, and he liked it that way. Vincent Valentine liked the peace and quite that the night brings, as he walked his mind ventured on a path that he preferred it not to go down. That path brings back the memory that has haunted him from long ago. He stopped by the train station, which was near the place called Sector 7 Slums - which for the past year has been cleaned up. Vincent sat on the bench and leaned back, his mind firmly fixed on what he once was a place and time he wish he could forget.

Why can't I forget you...? Why do you torture me..? Why can't I move on...? Why must I feel this way, every time I think of us..? Why am I forbidden to erase that day and memory...Why...Why...

He sat there, for how long? No one could say for sure, not even himself. Vincent slowly got up and headed for the hotel he was staying in, the hotel was owned by Cloud Strife and Tifa Lockheart, called rightfully 7th Haven Revisited. Since his apartment was destroyed, they offered him a room there. The hotel doors squeaked opened, and behind the desk was Tifa. As she turned around and noticed Vincent walk in, she just nodded and smiled; Vincent didn't even glance her way, he just walked up the stairs, went into his room, and gently closed the door behind him. Cloud walked out of the side door and looked up the stairs as the door closed.

"I guess that was Vincent." He said casually as he glanced up at the clock on the wall, and noticed the time. "Yep, it's time for him to get back from his walk. Today's was longer than usually." Cloud said as he turned to Tifa. Cloud stretched and stifled a yawn.

"Well good night Tifa, see you later."

"Good night Cloud."

As Cloud's door closed, Tifa finished up her paperwork from behind the desk. She made sure that all the keys were on their appropriate hooks; the logbook was open ready for the guests to sign. What a day. She said to herself. Today has been one of their busiest. Tifa started to think about their other friends: Barret, Marla, Red XIII - or Nanki, Yuffie - where they are now and what were they doing. She sighed and yawned, Tifa waited until the new receptionist came that her and Cloud hired for nights. The receptionist wasn't all that friendly, but it's all they could find to work the long nights, Cloud hoped that with a little more experience she'll lighten up a bit. So far no change in her attitude, and Tifa began to worry about it - if she doesn't try harder in being nice - they'll start losing business and after all the hard work that Cloud and her put into remaking this place. Then right on time, she walked in and quickly took off her coat. She went behind the desk, put her coat on the chair, and sat down.

"Good evening Diane."

"Yeah whatever..."

"Please try to act nice, you represent Cloud and I at night."

Diane nodded her head, brought out a book from the coat pocket and started reading it. Tifa sighed and walked to Cloud's and her room.

"Good night." Tifa said to Diane, and she acknowledged with a dismissive wave of her hand.

(Lately I've been trying, to fill up my days since you're gone. The speed of love is blinding)

Vincent lay on his bed, resting his head on his metallic arm, and stared up at the ceiling. His mind was still in the past, when he was actually happy. His ruby eyes sparkled slightly from the light coming in from the open window in his room. As he closed his eyes, the last word he silently uttered in his dark room, before he went to sleep, was a word he said often back then ... Lucrecia.

(And I didn't know how to hold on, my mind won't clear)

Something awoke Vincent from his troubled sleep, like that of a familiar voice whispering in his ear. He sat up in bed and look towards the window. The cool breeze came in slowly, as he got up and walked to the open window. The wind gently tossed his long, bangs from his face. There on the breeze, was the familiar scent he knew well.

(I'm out of tears, my heart's got no room left inside.)

The night beckons Vincent out of his room again. He can never refuse its callings: Vincent and the night are one. Mysterious in all their ways, even their beginnings are the same; or so the way Vincent wants to believe. He tore across the rooftops like the wind itself. His footsteps are so silent, that it doesn't disturb the houses occupants.

(Will the arms of hope surround me? Will time be a fair-weather friend?)

Vincent feels free in the night as if nothing could hurt him. Cracks of thunder sounds which signals, the rain is about to come.

(Should I call out to angels? I can't hide its true)

Even as the rain starts to fall, he never lost his balance or footing. Vincent's whole body is in a solid motion, blending in with the rain.

(I still burn for you. Your memory just won't let me go)

His mind stayed firmly fixed in the past, it has been thirty - one years since that day happened and he had been asleep for thirty of those.

Maybe those days has finally caught up with me. Why does she always stay with me? She has been dead thirty-one years, why does she still haunt me so? Is it because I still love her?

Vincent's mind went in circles, and the rain felt refreshing like he was starting anew... but something else was bothering him. Something he can't put his finger on.

Why do I even bother. As he approached the last house of the block, he quickly jumped over the street below and landed on the next rooftop - and continued as if nothing happened.

Lucrecia.... why? Why do I feel like this? I will always have a hole in my heart where you once filled it... Vincent searched for a reason that he might be plagued more often by these memories.

Now I remember. This is the week that I lost you forever. The week my whole world and everything I knew, turned upside down. No matter how many years will pass, I will never forget the first woman I loved.

If only he could change that day.

(I'd hold you tighter,)

Or did something different in that time.

(Closer than ever before.)

Would his life be different now?

(No flame would burn brighter!)

Or would it still be the same?

(If I could touch you once more,)

No one could say for sure, not even Vincent himself.

Through the sheets of rain, two figures stood near each other, seeming to be parting ways.

"Well I guess I'll see you later, Miss Lucrecia." The man commented. The other person wore a white coat with the hood up, nodded.

(How many dreams will end? How long can I pretend?)

"Yes sir, and thank you sir. I'll bring back any research I find. Good night."

(How many times will love pass me by? Until I find you again?)

Judging from the voice, it was obviously a woman. She turned around, having a notebook under her arms; she walked at a brisk pace down the street seeming not to notice what was going on. She continued to walk, blissfully ignorant, thinking of what she could accomplish in Midgar. When she spoke, Vincent slid to a halt. That voice. Could it be? ....

"Lucrecia?" he whispered.

('Till I find you again...)

He shook his head and dismissed it as an illusion. Vincent continued his nightly run, but stopped again as he heard the soft footsteps on the wet blacktop. That couldn't be her, could it? He looked down, and there she was! Plain as day!

A young woman with long brown hair - which is slightly showing under her white hooded cloak - even that walk, the coat, even the smell of the woman's perfume; which was so familiar to the man that stayed in his past. No it can't be!!!! She died in my arms!! Didn't she? But it's her! I'd recognize her in a crowd of people! But ... but ... Vincent's head started to spin out of control. Is it another illusion?

Or did his mind just make his memories a reality to simply confuse him. He quietly followed the woman, and the heavy rain plastered his black hair to his pale skin. Little by little, the rain slowly subsided and turned in to a light drizzle. Lucrecia noticed that the rain had calmed down; she pulled back her hood and gently lifted her brown ponytail out from her coat. She smiled as she gazed around with playful brown eyes, always looking for something new to discover. Lucrecia walked towards the inn, which she had heard was rather nice, and walked inside to check for her reservation. Everything seemed in order, though she had to wonder about the receptionist's very bored look.

"Welcome, please sign in."

Diane remotely said, without looking up from her book. But, when she glanced up as Lucrecia wrote her name in the logbook. She then found the room key and handed it to Lucrecia. "Here you are...Lucrecia, have a nice stay." Diane mumbled.

Lucrecia hesitated for a moment, and then she quickly thanked the receptionist and headed up towards her room. Vincent jumped off the roof and entered the hotel, the woman walked in, which was exactly where he's staying. Everything is going wrong; it shouldn't be this way.... it never was... why is it changing now??? He shook his head. Vincent went to his room and next door, he heard her footsteps - soft as ever, like bare feet on fresh wet grass. Vincent sat there on his bed, not knowing what to do next. The noises next-door - shuffling of paper and her footsteps - kept his mind spinning. Lucrecia set all her things down in her room and then examined it. There wasn't much workspace. She sighed and gathered up her notebooks and headed back down stairs to where she thought she remembers some tables being. She walked down stairs, after locking her door of course, and sure enough there were some tables by some windows. She walked over and placed her notes on the table, creating a sort of organized chaos on the makeshift desk. She pulled out her glasses and started over her notes again, which she took on the specimens in the lab. This was her chance to prove that they needed her on the team. Lucrecia propped her chin upon her hand as she delved into her notes, losing herself in the complexity of it all. Though as complex as it was, she understood nearly everything. And the things she didn't understand, she certainly had an educated guess at. Lucrecia certainly lived up the brilliant ShinRa scientist she was named after. Vincent mulled over the past events that happened in this short period of time, and again that voice - like a demon inside - started talking.

you let her die... this is your punishment.... to watch her die... to see her before you... unable to stop the motion of events...you created me... this is your life... your nightmare.......... your torture... events that can't stop and refused to stop...monster...monster... monster!!!

Vincent snapped out of his daze, and decided to get something to drink since he wasn't able to go back to sleep. As he opened the door, there she was. This can't be a dream. This can't be false. Without realizing it, he started to walk to the woman sitting down. As he approached her, he looked at her.

"Excuse me, have we met before?"

This has to be her, I can't be wrong. He silently told himself, but some part of him didn't believe it. Lucrecia was suddenly brought out of her work when she heard a voice. She nearly jumped when she heard it; she had been so engrossed in her work. When she looked up, she was at a loss for words. There stood someone who looked like he belonged in some sort of horror movie. His blazing ruby red eyes and long disheveled black hair seemed to support this reasoning. Though as she studied him closer, Lucrecia saw that he actually had very handsome features under the facade of a madman. And as frightening as his eyes were, they were touched with a hint of sadness and seemed like there was a void in his heart that couldn't be filled. She blinked as she listened to his question.

"I don't believe so, sir." She said politely as she shook her head. Lucrecia smiled warmly as she set her papers down. "You look troubled. Why don't you sit down a moment?" She said kindly as she waved to a seat next to her, trying to help the poor soul. "Are you looking for someone down here? I don't know many people here but maybe I can help you." She couldn't help but be intimidated by this man, and she tried not to shrink away. After all, so many people in the slums had had tragedy strike; he just seemed like another victim. Little did Lucrecia know what grief a woman so like her, even bearing the same name as her, had caused this traveler. That look, was the same she gave him when they first met. He sat down beside her and looked into her eyes.

"Oh my God, you look just like her. You could be her twin."

He had to fight his hand from raising and touching her face. How long has it been since he looked into those eyes? It seemed like a lifetime ago, and sometimes it was just yesterday. Vincent was mesmerized in seeing this woman. Those feelings came back again, should he leave? Should he follow his first impulse and kiss her? His mind raced in every direction, now he can't say a single thing. For the first time in a long time, he is speechless. Lucrecia smiled uneasily at Vincent then caught onto whom he meant.

"Oh. You thought I was the ShinRa scientist Lucrecia, didn't you?" She said almost reading Vincent's thoughts. "Well it's not the first time, actually. I guess I look an awful lot like her. I'm even named after her," she explained to Vincent. "You see, my parents named me after her and then when I was old enough to understand my name, I started following her career. Up until she disappeared that is. After that, I wanted to be a scientist myself. And here I am." She finished and then smiled back at Vincent. "But, how did you know Lucrecia? Are you a scientist too, or a family member?"

Vincent's mind started to race. "I was really close to her. She and I were very close friends. I helped her out on the experiment she was working with Hojo..." That name sends a chill down his spine every time he thinks of it or hears it. How he loathed that name. The man that killed his dreams and tortured him for the rest of his life. The pain of talking about his true love is starting to show in his eyes. Just looking at her, brings back the fondest memories of them together. All the sudden a sharp pain appeared in his chest, a pain so strong it feels like his lungs was in a vice. Also it feels like something inside is trying to claw its way out.

"Excuse me … I have something else to do. Maybe we can continue this conversation when I return." The pain grew intense, so strong that he had to resist in raising his hand to his chest. Vincent rose slowly and headed for the entrance. I need air... something here is suffocating me...

Lucrecia jumped up from her work, spilling a few papers onto the ground. "Wait!" She called out, still confused by all of this. Lucrecia had disappeared over thirty years ago! "How could you know Lucrecia? That would make you like, fifty wouldn't it?" She ran after him quickly stooping down to scoop up papers and putting them back into her binder as neatly as she could on the run.

"Please! Who are you?" She asked finally reaching out for his arm, wanting to get some answers from this strange man. He said he knew Lucrecia. But judging by his looks, he seemed like he was in his mid to late twenty's, but that didn't make sense!

Either he kept his age well or something didn't add up here. Something doesn't feel right. Lucrecia thought to herself. His arm felt too cold, almost, metallic. It was then she looked down at the arm she'd grabbed. It was as far as she could tell, golden in color. She looked down at where his fingers should be and saw only ghastly claws. Lucrecia wanted to let go, but in her confusion she didn't have the presence of mind to do it. She only looked at it wide eyed in fear, stammering for words. But what could she say? He had a metal claw for an arm!!! Vincent stopped and looked at Lucrecia. He knew something didn't settle with her. How he looked young, but he knew the first Lucrecia thirty-one years ago. That part of his life is hard to talk about. Now she was scared of him, just like he feared. She saw his metallic arm; the one Hojo replaced his normal arm with, and how he ruined his life with this immortality. Oh how he loathed every aspect of his new life.

"It's a long story. A story that you will have nightmares for the rest of your life if you heard it, and believe me when I say, I'm living that nightmare even when I'm awake, an unending nightmare."

When Lucrecia finally found her voice, she was still confused. "I don't understand." She said quietly, still frightened of him. "What horrible thing could have happened to you?" She said as she finally let go of his claw. "Was there some accident that caused this? Because it if was I've seen many specimens with far worse things that happened to them. Whatever happened to you can't worse than them ... could it?" She added the last part as an after thought. After a few seconds of silence went by, Lucrecia found her voice again. "Please, just tell me your name. I'd like to speak with you again. If you'd like, I might be able to help you. Maybe even find something to stop whatever is causing you pain if that is possible." Her voice still didn't have the confidence it had before. Finally, she just sighed and turned. "What am I doing?" Lucrecia said quietly. "You probably think I'm some crazy person now, don't you? Chasing after you when I don't even know you. I don't what's come over me." She said with a little forced laugh afterwards. "Well then. Good day, sir." She said. And with that, Lucrecia turned around and started off to her room again.

Nothing can end this pain; I wish something could. "Vincent Valentine." He yelled after her. Lucrecia nodded as Vincent spoke. "That's my name. If you want, we shall finish this conversation, and I will answer all your questions. I promise" I can't believe I did that! Stupid!!!!!! Vincent silently cursed himself.

"Alright! I'll see you later!" Lucrecia said as she walked back to sit down at the table to mull over these thoughts in her mind. When Vincent stepped outside, once again, his mind just fooled him into talking about his past to a strange woman. Well maybe not all that strange, anyways he knows her ... doesn't he?

Now I dug myself a big grave... What to say, what to do... One thing is to clear up my connection with the first Lucrecia... She mentioned reports; did it mention my name? Hojo's? Everything that happened, or did someone edit it? This Lucrecia had reports from the first.

Records of the past, and she had them all up until that night. I didn't know she kept reports or records. I wonder what's mentioned in them. This one thinks Lucrecia disappeared, but I know the real reason - their little experiment backfired, and it cost her life and mine. How I wished I could've changed her mind, but she wouldn't listen.

Why Lucrecia? Why didn't you listen and believe me. That day haunts him; it's like a curse that can never be lifted. Why didn't I save her??.... I told her that I would never leave her... so why wasn't I there when she needed me the most?? She called for me and I didn't show.... she needed me and I wasn't there... I ...I... I failed her.... over and over again...I failed to save the only person I ever loved...Why? Why? Why!!!!!!!! I failed her... over and over again... and that's my curse... and so is this immortality, and my metallic arm. It serves the purpose to remind me of my broken vow...Lucrecia... why??? Why did a Turk ever fall in love with a scientist? Somehow, deep inside, I knew that it wouldn't work.... Everything that happened thirty-one years ago, I blame it all on Hojo!! Without Hojo, I would have a happier life than this ... thirty-one years of pain and torture caused by one man.... one man ruined two life's in one short day…

monster... this is what you will always be. NO ONE COULD EVER LOVE YOU!! you and I are one and the same.... you know that this is true... if they found out about me, they will hate you and curse you... this is your fate.... you will always be alone... alone... who could ever love a monster!

Vincent shook his head, trying to silence that voice. Most of the time, he believes it. For his crime, his pronouncement is that he will always be alone, and to face a life not knowing love anymore. Remembering Lucrecia reopens the scar in his heart. It gushes his emotions forth, and every once in awhile, it shatters into millions of pieces. How it could mend itself every time that name comes around, he doesn't know. The inner voice becomes stronger this time every year. Oh how Vincent wishes he could silence that voice forever! The voice is more torture, than reliving his past - even more than Hojo himself! He looked around at the deserted street outside the hotel, and walked to the end of the block. His breath started to come out in gasps, and then followed by wheezing. Get a grip! Calm yourself down! Slowly the pressure on his chest was easing, but he still felt hot. The night grew colder, and the wind felt like icicles on Vincent's skin. He leaned on the building, regaining his composure.

let me out... even I need to leave my little confinement...

No your not... I'm not going to let you... hear me... I'm in control not you! Vincent argued with his inner voice. He feels better, but can he continue their conversation? As he reclined, a man in a white coat appeared around the corner beside Vincent. He didn't even notice the man as he past him, but the guy noticed Vincent and was intrigued.

That guy looks familiar... The man said to himself, open a folder and started to flip through it. As he walked past Vincent, the guy skimmed over the report and stopped at a paragraph that caught his attention:

'That Turk! Always getting in my way, who does he think he is! Everywhere I turn, she's talking to him. The new Turk on the block, he should take the hint from the others and leave me be! His ice blue, cold stare, something in it tells me ... nah... I hate him!!! I need to get rid of him.... she spends too much time with that Turk, what's his name? Ah yes Vincent Valentine.... He is going to be a problem someday, I can see that.... and I think I know what to do...'

Could that be? Hanz raised his eyes and saw a hotel, so he walked inside and saw Lucrecia at a make shift desk in the hall. Before he said anything he felt the device in his pocket. He saw a quick flashing light, it was still flashing but it's fading now.

"Hey."

Lucrecia looked up from her work and smiled at the professor.

"Hello Professor. Need any help?"

She asked as she slid some papers out of the way. She didn't know why the professor had taken such an interest in her. Lucrecia only recently graduated and hadn't done anything impressive yet. She mentioned to the seat next to her. "Care to join me? I've met the most interesting people here!"

Hanz shook his head and sat down beside her. He smiled as he looked at Lucrecia. "Well no, not anything in particular. I was just wondering where you were staying, and besides, don't you ever take a break?"

Lucrecia adjusted her glasses as she shook her head, and smiled bigger. "Not if I want to get on a large project, like the Jenova Project!" She said as she started filing the papers away. "And I'm staying here, if it wasn't obvious." She finally got all of her papers back into her pack and stood up. Then straighten out her ponytail, it was getting messed up from neglect.

Hanz shook his head and looked at Lucrecia. "You are defiantly one of my brilliant students. No, but I'll let you get back to your studying Lucrecia. Good night and see you in the morning."

He stood and bowed, out of respect, as she did the same as well. "Good night, sir." As Hanz left the hotel, the figure he saw earlier was coming this direction. The figure stepped into the light of a lamppost, and he saw clearly the face he thought he saw.

It is Vincent Valentine! I thought I would never see him! He is exactly what the reports said. He hasn't aged a day since then. FINALLY! My hard work is going to pay off.

Hanz smiled to himself and went the opposite direction, toward the hotel around the corner. He stopped outside the hotel, and pulled out the device he had in his pocket. He also took out the report he was reading and skimmed over it.

He said this would do something to him ... Yes! Here it is! This is how he controlled Vincent that one time, but this device was in his brain ... I wonder if I got all the components. Yes I think I have.

Lucrecia then proceeded to walk outside to get a breath of fresh air. She inhaled the cold air, after being stuffed up in that hotel for so long. She sighed and closed her brown eyes, concentrating on what she had learned. As Vincent got closer to the 7th Haven Revisited, he noticed a guy in a white coat disappearing around the corner. Vincent got a sense of dread from that person, but shook his head to clear that thought out of his mind. He looked familiar, somehow ... he looked like ... Nah, I've been thinking way too much about him ... Then he saw Lucrecia standing perfectly still; he quietly walked up to her side. Her pose and how the wind whips her hair around - it's all coming back to him now. It takes all Vincent has not to wrap his arms around her and kiss her neck. How he longed for a second chance, could this finally be it?! Before he said anything to her, he made sure that the episode was passed. It did and he felt better, for some reason it became stronger.

"Lucrecia?" Vincent said softly, not wanting to disturb her.

"Hmm? Oh, hello again." Lucrecia muttered, as her chocolate brown eyes fluttered open. She yawned slightly, because she had actually begun to doze off after closing them.

She'd over worked herself again, but she didn't care. Anything to get her closer to her goal, Lucrecia smiled softly at Vincent before moving a strand of chestnut hair from her face. She stretched her arms out, as she stood up to her full height; which really wasn't that impressive - and then put her hands into her deep pockets of her lab coat.

"I was wondering if you were coming back, my boss came by earlier. He wanted to know if I ever stopped working." Lucrecia finished with a light laugh. "If I only had the time." She sighed. "But..." She hesitated a bit before continuing. "I do have a moment, if you wanted to talk. You seem like a very interesting individual." At that moment Lucrecia realized she'd forgotten his name. Or had he ever told her? She thought a moment and then it finally came to her. "Vincent." She tried hard not to let her pale face turn a fascinating shade of red as an indication she'd forgotten his name. Lucrecia recovered fast, but it wasn't fast enough. No matter, it was done, and she had remembered, hadn't she? That was the important part, and after she'd almost begged him to tell her. She must have been tired.

She's just like her, Lucrecia never stopped working either. He waited until she was finished talking, there was some spots he could have stepped in, but she continued to talk. He remembered few women that he met, when they were nervous - they never stopped talking. Vincent understood some of her nervousness. Vincent looked Lucrecia in the eyes, how his ruby eyes seem to dim as he stared into her brown eyes. He chose his words carefully, for Vincent doesn't want to tell her anything about his deep connection to the first Lucrecia - because it might startle and scare her away.

"You wanted to know more about her, and my relationship circling her. Let's go inside where we would have some quite."

Something outside was bothering him; it felt like someone was listening to them.

Be careful Vincent ... don't talk too much ... it might hurt worse then it already does...

you killed her ... you left her ... you monster ... your killed her ...

Vincent mentally shook the later part of his thought away. Lucrecia nodded.

"Alright. Would you like to come up to my room? You'll have to excuse the mess," She added sheepishly. "I've been working and still don't have a place for everything."

Hanz peeked around the corner and saw Vincent and Lucrecia talking, and then noticed them walking back inside the hotel. i Exactly liker her journals said. She did love him, but couldn't say it to his face. I wonder if these events will unfold like I had planned. I'm almost to where I'll be staying; there I will try this thing out. /i He smiled to himself and headed to the little inn at the end of the block. Hanz checked in and went quickly to his room, and put out the 'Do Not Disturb' sign on the door. He laid out the papers on the bed, and skimmed over the directions on the device he built - from the spare parts in the lab, located in Nibelheim.

Here it goes. Let's hope I got everything I need.

Lucrecia led the way to her room, Diane peeked out from her book just too see Vincent's red cape disappearing out of sight. When she opened her door, Lucrecia pulled off her glasses and put them in her case, not needing them at the moment.

Vincent followed Lucrecia in her room. He didn't care about the mess, Hojo's lab was worse than this room. He ran his claw hand through his hair, pushing it out of his face. He remembers the time Lucrecia brought him to her office; it was approximately the same size - but a little more desk space. Vincent stayed by the door, not to disturb her from settling in. Lucrecia gestured around the room.

"You can sit down if you want Mr. Valentine." She said as she moved papers and equipment around about. When she got it in some kind of ordered chaos, she sat down on the bed.

"Please call me Vincent, I don't like formalities. Where do you want me to start?" He said as he took the chair by the door, and sat down.

"I would like to know how you knew her. That would seem like the best place to start. I don't mean to be rude or anything, but it almost seems impossible that you'd have known her personally." She commented, her curiosity unyielding to her patience, and manners. She was finally going to find out about her hero from someone who knew her personally.

"I knew Lucrecia because back then I was part of a group called the Turks, and she was a scientist there at ShinRa Inc. We hardly talked at first, but we had the same interest and then we helped each other out. I knew some of the projects that those scientist working on and Lucrecia gave me some inside information." Vincent stayed calm and collective, he chose his words carefully - he's not trying to give too much information at once, but sooner or later, he has to tell her about that day.

monster ... you let her die ... now you are paying for that ... you killed her ... monster! monster!

Vincent closed his eyes, as if that was going to help calm his inner voice, the inner voice that came into existence the moment she died. The inner monster that wants to come out and Vincent is trying to hold it at bay. So now he knows that he was wrong to think that 'it' quieted after his stay in the night air. 'It' was just suppressed for the time being and now 'it' got its strength back. Lucrecia listened attentively. "I see. So she gave you information about the 'secret' projects?" She was about to ask another question, when she noticed his composure shift ever so slightly. "Are you alright?" Lucrecia stood up and walked closer to him. Vincent had closed his eyes, but she caught a glimpse of them right before he did. It looked like he was fighting something. "Vincent?" She asked quietly.

Is that my name? That voice, it is really hers?

monster!! monster!! you killed her ... you killed her ... you will always relieve that day ... that is your punishment, sentence , and your torture

Vincent slowly opened his eyes, and saw her brown eyes in front of him. "I'm fine." He replied as he straightens up. Her face showed concern, how long has it been since he saw that look directed at him? When he breathed out, it came as in a gasp for air, but then he regained his composure. "It's alright. I just haven't been able to sleep for a while." Why is it that all the sudden i can't breathe? It feels like my chest is being squeezed, or is it just hot in here?

Lucrecia forgot about her questions for now. Something didn't settle right with her. It looked like he was taking very shallow breaths, something that didn't seem typical of those not able to sleep. Vincent's gasp for air didn't sound healthy at all. This certainly couldn't be triggered by a simple lack of sleep. Vincent had regained his composure, but it was too forced, something had to be wrong.

"Are you sure you're alright Vincent? I'm sure there's a medical facility around here somewhere, if you need it. I may even be able to treat you myself." Lucrecia said softly, afraid of whatever has caused this might worsen. He still didn't look well at all. Tenderly, she reached out a hand and rested it on her shoulder to try to jolt him back to reality. Little did Lucrecia know that her very presence itself could be able to snap the fragile thread that held Vincent's reality together.

No! Not know!!!! Why does it have to happen now ... but isn't he dead? Only he can do this ....

Hanz was at that hotel earlier, and installed a video system in Lucrecia's room. He's been watching it since they entered the room, and by accident his finger hit the button on the device. He looked quickly at it and back at Vincent; a smile crept on his face.

Yes! It worked, just like he said! Now Mr. Valentine, your life will become a living hell once again! He searched the reports that were scattered on his bed, skimming is more the word. Hanz found pictures of the scientist team, they were: Professor Gast, Professor Hojo, Lucrecia ... and some others, probably the assistances. He also found pictures that were taken by surveillance cameras, most of them had Vincent and Lucrecia together ... but the majority was Vincent alone. Hojo defiantly had a grudge against that man; those would come in handy for what he did to Vincent. Hanz also noticed some words at the bottom of the pictures, but they were faded and unreadable. In another stack of reports, described in detail the experiments done to Vincent, and the 'demon' Hojo created - all from one source ... Jenova.

"No, no doctor. It will pass, it comes and goes." That hand on his shoulder, made him feel like he was back with the first Lucrecia. A simple touch can do wonders for the mind, soul and body. His breath still came in gasps, but they slowly faded. Lucrecia was about to remove her hand when she felt the small tremors seize up his body. She didn't know what was happening. Was he sick? Was he injured? What happened? She didn't understand it at all.

"Well if you're sure you're alright." She finally said, admitting her defeat to finding out what was wrong with him... She didn't want to pry too much. Lucrecia gently let her hand drop from his shoulder, went back to her bed and sat down; waiting for him to recover. The tremors stopped and Vincent let out a short sigh, but something else was on his mind when he started to talk.

"Where were we?" He asked as he looked at Lucrecia. It's been a long time since someone cared for him. His new friends don't matter, they know he kept his past a secret from them - and they knew not to bother him about it. But that look was a general concern, and he liked that. Lucrecia smiled again, though it was somewhat forced.

"You were a Turk, and worked with Lucrecia." She reminded quietly. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea. He might need to be in bed or resting, and she was making him answer questions for her own petty reasons. She sighed and waited for him to continue. Lucrecia reasoned he would only leave if they finished their business. She didn't really want him to leave. He was a very interesting individual and he intrigued her. But Lucrecia didn't want him to get ill on her account. It was a tug of war in her mind, that didn't seem to have an end in sight. Though Lucrecia tried to look attentive as Vincent spoke, he leaned back and continued. He looked over at Lucrecia, and seen that she was a good listener. It's been a long time, since somebody actually listened to him.

"Most of the time, when Lucrecia was talking to me she let me in the 'Employee's Only' rooms - which got her into trouble. The main professor she worked with, his name was Hojo. He and I never got along; we were always at each other. Lucrecia was the brightest of the entire scientists there, she knew a lot about what they were working on. The one project that took all her time, which she was always reading about - was called the 'Jenova Project'. I understood most of it, but it always intrigued me how she could spend days upon end studying it." He sighed as he finished. Jenova - that was the thing that killed his happy ever after. The part that came next, he decided to skip; because it would hurt him more talking about it.

"One day, I was selected to accompany the group of scientist to the lab in Nibelheim. There they continued their research ..."

At that point Vincent became distant, remembering the real reason he was there. He just stops in mid-sentence, and for some reason he couldn't continue....

that's it! remember what happened next? go ahead! tell her! monster! demon! tell her the truth about what happened in that little town! see if she wants to continue with this little chat!!!! monster! you didn't keep your promise, did you?!

"There they continued their research aaaaaaand ...?" Lucrecia asked, as she found it strange that he'd stopped mid-sentence. Then she realized one reason why he would pause, she swallowed and looked at Vincent. "If this is too hard for you we can stop, if you want." She said quietly. Lucrecia sensed a sort of sadness in him, for some strange reason she felt some kind of guilt, even though she wasn't even there all those years ago. It was like phantom limb pain. You shouldn't feel the pain because the limb isn't there, but you feel it anyways and you don't know why. She wanted him to continue though, and it showed in her eyes. Once the words 'Jenova Project' had been spoken, he'd grabbed her attention entirely. She wanted to learn more about it. Vincent snapped out of his daze, and looked into Lucrecia's brown eyes. Vincent's eyes seem to cloud over, as if ready to cry -but no tears came. He held them back, he wasn't going to let this affect him.

"No I'm fine. You have to know the truth, of what really happened to the first Lucrecia - and I'm the only one that could tell you." He took a small breath and let it out slowly. "Another secret experiment they were working on, I knew nothing about. Lucrecia kept it from me for a long time. That project was that Hojo injected his sperms and the Jenova cells into Lucrecia's body. To make a supreme being, a 'god' - what Hojo called his dream, that was the experiment ... which did happen ... the child was Sephiroth, but the Jenova cells were poisoning her body ... she was dying." Vincent stopped, swallowed the lump in his throat, and choked back his tears. This hurts him more deeply than anyone could imagine, this was the memory her was cursed with in remembering. "I was there to hold her. I couldn't stand it any longer; she was dying in my arms. So I ran down to Hojo and demanded him to save her, but all he did was laugh in my face. 'There is no way to save her ...' he told me, 'the Jenova cells are poisoning her body, she knew the consequences."

So that is what happened to her! And I know exactly what followed after. Hojo was sure a genius!! Hanz held the device in his hands and waved a finger over the button, which would make Vincent realize what he truly was. How was he going to get Vincent to come to him? He wants to finish Hojo's experiment, but to do so; you have to let the test subject come to you.

Hanz knew that Vincent wouldn't give himself up willingly, he has to find his weakness and exploit it ... but what is Vincent's Achilles' heal

"Now Vincent ..." Hanz said to himself. "Let's see what lies behind your 'human' mask ..." With that Hanz pushed the button and waited for the show to begin.

Lucrecia didn't know what to say. She was struck completely dumb. No one ever told her what happened to the great scientist. And now to learn that she'd just thrown her life away to try and create a god. She knew now the truth about the 'Jenova Project'. Lucrecia knew that Jenova was not an ancient and everything, but she never knew about this monstrosity.

"I'm so sorry." She managed to say, though her words sounded empty. Like they held no meaning. Perhaps they did to Vincent, but she couldn't think of anything else.

It hurts Vincent so much to talk about Lucrecia. The way he talked about her, how pained his expression was. This man loved her, maybe even more than life itself. And then that woman died, all for the blasphemous dream of creating a god. It was no wonder he looked the way he did. Lucrecia had heard of Sephiroth, the great general of ShinRa Inc; who eventually went mad and tried to destroy the world. Yet she felt a twinge of sorrow for the poor man. Created, most likely mistreated, and never knowing who or what he was. He probably found out, and that was the reason he went insane. Lucrecia didn't quite understand why she felt so remorseful for such a monster. "You tried though." She finally concluded. "Even if she did die, you tried to save her in the end. You shouldn't feel guilty for her death. I don't know everything that happened, or why she causes you so much pain and guilt." It was then Lucrecia realized why he felt so sad around her. People who knew the first Lucrecia always said she was the spitting image of her. She must be a constant remainder of a woman who still haunts his mind. It wasn't the most reassuring thoughts she'd ever had.

"Don't be. It's not your fault." Vincent's head hung down low, if you didn't know him; you would think he was crying. Those words ... how he longed for them ... but would it suffice? Will that make his everlasting torment end? All the sudden Vincent's lungs burned, and he couldn't breathe. He started coughing violently - it came out like a hacking, gurgling sound. His claw hand reached up to his chest.

Not now!!!! NOT NOW!!!!!!!! WHY!!!!!!!!! Please god not now!!!!

With that thought, he fell to the ground - only to catch himself with his other hand. His coughing grew louder and didn't cease.

"VINCENT!" Lucrecia ran over to try and help Vincent up. He didn't look well and the hacking and choking, was enough to keep him from persuading her he was well. She bent down and tried to heave him off the ground, but he was a lot heavier than she thought. Things weren't looking good. "Vincent, you need a doctor." Lucrecia said bluntly. "You could have pneumonia or TB or something!"

Vincent shook his head; he tried to talk through his coughing. "no ... doctor ... no ... hos ... pit ... al ..." Vincent's cough grew louder, and sometimes he would gag on something rising in his throat. He started to heave slightly, and his breath grew into loud gasps as if struggling to breath. Vincent's arm was starting to get weak, and he felt it coming - up though his lungs, like lava rising to the top of a volcano ready to erupt.

Right below Lucrecia's room was Cloud's and Tifa's. Cloud stirred, as he sat up hearing something unnerving in the room above him. Cloud quietly got up, not wanting to disturb Tifa and exiting the room. When he arrived at the front desk, he noticed that Diane was not there. Stupid girl ... I should have known better to let her have this type of job. Cloud thought as he walked past the desk. He heard the sound again, and it was awful. He walked up the stairs and saw that the door was slightly ajar. There he saw the outline of Vincent hunched over the floor, as he pushed the door open Cloud noticed a woman beside Vincent.

"My God, Vincent!" Cloud went to him and knelt down. "Come on Vincent get up. Let's get you out of here."

"No hospital Cloud ... no ...doc...tor...s..." Vincent replied between the hacking coughs. Vincent looked worse than usual, Cloud had seen him in bad days; but this topped them all. Then it hit him of course, doctors would jump at the opportunity to study him. Vincent is 'unique' in certain areas.

"Ok, to your room then." He looked at Lucrecia. "You can come too, just follow me."

Cloud wrapped one of Vincent's arms around his neck, and he took his other and placed it around Vincent's waist; which he semi carried and dragged Vincent to his room. Cloud laid him on the bed and felt Vincent's forehead. "He's burning up! I'll be right back." Cloud rushed out and Lucrecia stood by the door. She didn't know what was going on, everything happened all the sudden. Vincent's coughing was getting louder, and it also sounded like he was gagging on something. Cloud came back quickly, holding a bowl of water, a washcloth and a towel.

"NO!" Hanz yelled, and then stopped to make sure no one came and started to knock on the door.

They left the room! Just when it was getting good! I need to bug all the rooms ... or maybe.

He started to rap his fingers on the nearby lamp stand. That wasn't supposed to happen; Vincent was not supposed to leave the room. Hanz looked down and skimmed over more of Hojo's reports. There has to be something here I can use! This is not going according to plan, we have so much left to uncover! There was complete silence in his room, so quite you could have heard a pen drop. Hanz was flipping though page after page, trying to find what he needed. Most of the reports were very detailed description about a number of things, but none of them struck Hanz's fancy. Then there it was! Video cameras! That's it, I need video cameras in all the rooms ... but how? How am I going to do that??? That's the problem he faces, how is he going to set up the video cameras in the rooms he needed in that hotel. He can't walk in and say what he was doing, then of course the answer would be no. Hanz rubbed his chin in thought and his eyes narrowed at the small screen in his room. It's getting late, but he can't sleep now, not when there was a puzzle to be solve

Vincent coughed again, which made his back hurt right between his shoulder blades, and rolled over with his hand over his mouth. Lucrecia was confused at the moment, not knowing how she should act. Cloud walked over to Vincent and saw blood dripping from the corner of his mouth, and handed him the moist cloth; which Vincent took with his left hand - his metallic hand. Vincent then removed his blood soak hand, and placed the cloth over his mouth. His body seizing as he coughed.

"Vincent ..." Cloud said not knowing how to help his friend. He wished there was a way, but without Vincent telling him what is happening; there was nothing he could do.

"Please leave Cloud." Vincent's voice barely above a whisper and his breathe still came out in gasps.

"Alright, I'll be downstairs if you need me." Cloud set the bowl and the towel on the small table beside the bed; and quietly slipped out of the room. As Cloud closed the door behind him, Vincent strained his voice so Lucrecia could hear him.

"Stay ... please .... Lucrecia ..."

Lucrecia wasn't sure if she should stay. But then again, Vincent was sick and he'd specifically asked for her to stay. And he might need someone to watch over him, just incase he got worse and passed out. Or worse ... she tried not to think about what that 'or worse' could be. Lucrecia walked over and sat down next to him.

"Vincent." She wasn't sure what to say next. "Is there anything that I can do for you?" Lucrecia looked around for something in his room to help. Nothing. What can I do? She asked herself. She didn't know what to do since he did not want to be treated. Vincent sat up slowly, straightened himself, and wiped his mouth with the cloth. He took his hand, put it in the bowl of cool water, and gently swirled it around. Vincent heaved a breath and let it out in a sigh. The pain and the dry coughs were gone. He turned his head to Lucrecia. Again, the look of concern and confusion, he reached for the towel and dried off his hand.

"There's nothing you can do, it's passing now. It's a price I pay, a heavy one that no one could get rid of it for me. Another thing I have to live with since that day." Vincent replied as he turned his head around and looked out the window. Vincent's ruby eyes were dim with sadness, confusion and so much more. I suppressed it this time ... but can I do it again? It's just starting, the worst is yet to come ... does she have to be here every time when it does?

Lucrecia just stared confused. "What is it, if you don't mind my asking." She asked, trying to put this together. Two plus two did not equal four in this equation. "Maybe it would help if we got some fresh air?" She suggested.

"A curse from that day, my sin in not keeping my promise to her, and nothing more." Should I tell her what I truly am??? If I did, would she talk to me??? Or would she turn away, and I will lose the chance again.

that's right, go ahead and tell her, tell her you monster!!!! or are you afraid to admit it, admit what you became! to scared of what will happen? who cares! when you talk about me, you afraid! your petrified from fear!

Vincent's crimson eyes had a far off look in them; part of the past has found a way to him. "Air might help. Now let me ask you a question." He asked as he rose to his feet. Lucrecia stood up and waited for Vincent, offering a hand incase he needed it.

"As you wish." Lucrecia was wondering what there was to know about her. She wasn't the most interesting individual that was for sure. At least, that's what she thought of herself.

"Why did you decide to take over Lucrecia's work. There were so many, I couldn't count them all." Vincent looked Lucrecia in the eyes. Hs crimson eyes, searching for answers in a stranger's face; this time his eyes betrayed how he felt toward the first Lucrecia. Lucrecia kind of shrugged and shoved her hands into her lab coat pockets.

"I dunno. It just seemed like the field for me. And she had so many documents that it was just amazing! I just felt drawn to them somehow." She replied. "I supposed that doesn't help much, but that's all I can really say." Lucrecia said as he looked into his eyes. She didn't know what to make of his expression. It was one of the few times he'd expressed anything. It was strange. "Uhm ... is there anything else you'd like to know?" She asked. Lucrecia studied his face for a moment and wondered if he'd always had those red eyes and the long dark hair. She wanted to ask, but she found the question to incredibly rude and she'd asked him too much already.

"No ...." With that Vincent turned and walked to the window, and just stared out into the night; not really focusing on anything. "It just amazing tat anyone could follow her work. So much was top secret, even the Jenova Project that made the worst monster ever. But I shouldn't judge though. To answer your unasked questions, no. My hair was short then, and I had blue eyes. It was because of other things that made my eyes red." He saw that questioning look in her eyes. It was something he's used to when he gets 'those' types of looks.

Lucrecia blinked, how'd he know? "Oh." Was all that she was able to say. "Well I'd never make another Sephiroth, but her research was interesting ... and I had my way of finding it."

Vincent kept his face to the sky, not looking at her. His mind was on something else. He stood there, not a muscle moving, both arms resting on the windowsill. Lucrecia walked over by Vincent. She looked out the window, up at the stars in the sky. No matter how much she knew about science and how everything was put together, nature - especially the cosmos - still inspired a sense of awe.

"They're pretty, huh?" She asked in a hushed, respectful tone. She pointed out the window to the stars above. "The stars. No matter how much I learn, I can't help but marvel at them. They're ... just ... amazing." Lucrecia trailed off and a smile crept across her face as she watched the tiny, twinkling lights in the sky. Vincent looked at Lucrecia out of the corner of his eyes. How the moon reflects off her kin, brings out all the details on her face.

"I feel at peace at night. The night and I are one. We have so much in common, we both a have a long story to tell, if someone would just stop and listen."

Unbeknownst to them, their conversation was being overheard. The listener has plans to do, and they are the key to the latest 'top secret' project in history.

Hanz smiled to himself. Their conversation got interesting. He heard every word when they reached the window. Great! Everything is going accordingly to plan. Hojo was right about their relationship. Lucrecia's doing her job perfectly without knowing it! How to proceed? That was the next riddle. Phase One has been accomplished, and Phase Two is about to commence. He leaned back and listened intently on the scene unfolding just a block away. Don't worry Vincent, your part of this 'play' is far from over. You might have a small part in Act One ... but in Act Two ... you are the star!!!!

Vincent sighed. What should he do? Should he continue this conversation and start where he left off, even though it hurts him to talk to a woman that resembles her in everyway?

come on, get to the good part! you have to tell her! she cares for you, you know ... but will she still care when you tell her about me? your inner self, your demon friend! come on and state the point! or are you too afraid that history will repeat itself again? you know what happened when you told Lucrecia how you felt about her ... she ...

Leave me alone! Shut up for a change! I don't need you to constantly reminding me! I remember that myself without you saying it!!

Chaos was starting to get a mind of its own, and Vincent did fear the truth; and is deathly afraid of what will happen. "You are the first that I ever talked about this with. Not even Cloud and Tifa knows about my past, but he was there a year ago; when I saw her spirit in that cave. Cloud never asked anything more about it."

After some awkward silence, Lucrecia was about to ask another but Vincent's cough stopped her.

"Sorry to cut this short, but I would like to be alone now." Vincent said without taking his gaze from the night skyline of stars.

"Alright. Good night, Vincent." She replied. She walked out of Vincent's room, closing the door after her. Lucrecia then walked back into her own room and cleared off her bed. Lucrecia fell back onto it, finally closing her chocolate brown eyes.

"Good night ... Lucrecia ..." He said was he heard the door close. His mind went back to that time in Nibelheim, when they were talking. Vincent tried to make her see what he was saying, but in response were the harsh words that doomed him:

JUST LEAVE ME ALONE! I DON'T WANT TO SEE YOU AGAIN!!!

How those words cut through his heart like a knife. The latter part hurt him the worse, but seeing her cry on Hojo's shoulders did him in. And his reply, the same as always when she was with Hojo ... As long as she's happy, I don't mind ... Vincent said that line so many times, he actually told her that and she said that she was ... didn't she? Or did she avoid his question by turning her head away from him?