All Square stuff belongs to Square the rest to me.

She refused to move, enjoying the warmth of the blankets which protected her from the icy morning. A warm cocoon of her own body heat, a wondrous pleasure she enjoyed before she remembered who she was and the anguish washed over her. Eventually she ventured out from under the covers, the first shock of the cold bedroom air sent goose bumps along her arms and legs. Her feet revelled in the soft old rug for a moment before she stood and threw on her clothes for the day. The mansion was no longer musty and in disrepair, every detail had been meticulously tended to in the four years Vincent had been here. He had almost managed to remove all the traces of Shinra, the only thing that couldn't be removed were the memories.

Tifa sauntered towards the kitchen her stomach protesting her extra moments in bed. From the nip in the air she assumed it had snowed more the night before and she whipped through the kitchen as quickly as possible to get away from its cold industrial stainless steel. After a quick meal of leftovers she hopped into the shower, as the hot water pummelled her skin relaxing her sore muscles she contemplated her day ahead. It was the last day she could visit her "old house" before its new tenants moved in, she had put it off for the past two weeks terror gnawing at her insides. The last time she had Cloud had been with her, her jaw clenched and her eyes burned. She had managed to avoid thinking of him for almost a week, and now she gave in to her weakness and dependency. At least Vincent wouldn't be able to see her cry this time he would be out hunting monsters through the mountain passes, it would be years before Nibelheim would be clear of them, it had become a duty which Tifa and Vincent preformed almost every day. He was like a behemoth powerful yet incredibly dexterous she wondered, briefly, what he looked like beneath those clothes; did he look as strong as he was? She rejected the thoughts feeling as if she was betraying Cloud. She remembered his strong touch, his hot breath on her neck, and his hungry lips on her skin. She remembered that night before going into the crater, it had been her first time, and they had thought they would die the next day. He had followed his baser needs and she had followed her heart, he had used her then tossed her away as if it was nothing. To her it had been everything, well the act itself was not as impressive as she had imagined, but she thought she had finally won. He did say he loved her. She realized who he must have been thinking of. Tifa sat in the bottom of the shower curled into a little ball sobbing into her knees, the fruity smell of her shampoo teasing her nose am, horribly happy smell, sweet and gentle.

Tifa entered her room in her old house that evening just before the sun had set. The day had been cloudless, the night would be different with the clouds flowing in from the east, but the sunset was stunning. Soft pinks and oranges poured in through the window. Tifa sighed and brushed a bit of her hair from her face. As always she was compelled to sit at her piano as she had so many times before with her mother. She ran her fingers along the behemoth ivory keys, specially made for her mother. Tifa started to play her favourite melody a hauntingly magnificent song her mother had taught her. She paled over and over getting lost in the notes letting her soul glide on the tune, delighting in the happy memories of this song. She began to sing the words, remembering them perfectly after so many years.

Tifa had lost all track of time when she felt someone's company behind her, it was not a threatening feeling it was actually quite reassuring. It was now dark. He sat down on the bench beside her, not bothering to interrupt. She turned to him once she had finished. He was watching her expressionless his crimson cloak around him.

"You finally came here. I'm impressed." His voice was calm yet it lacked the icy tone he used with others.

"I had to eventually." Her face breaking into a smile at seeing him, her pulse raced ever so slightly. She ignored it.

"You play beautifully; I think I've heard that song before...long ago." He looked at the keys reflecting on some secret memory. How did he do it? She wondered, survive the same pain she had and still go on unfaltering.

"Did you have a good day?"

He nodded "I brought something for you." He slid back his cloak and in his clawed hand he held out a small flower, the first she'd seen in at least a month.

"Where did you find it?" She said accepting it.

"In a small valley among the mountains, I thought you'd like it so I brought it for you." He stood and moved towards the door.

"...thank you..." Her voice awestruck.

"We should go I have supper ready." He replied as he went through the door.

Tifa took one last look at the room. Trying to take in all it had been to her in one last look, she sighed and left the house as well.

They ate in the dining room in silence. Tifa was used to Vincent's quiet ways she could even read him very well now. She watched him as he watched her; she wondered what her thought about in those great stretches of silence. When she had finished Vincent cleared the dishes and brought them both a glass of red wine as they sat by the fire in the sitting room. Tifa tried to do chores around the house yet Vincent always stopped her, enjoying serving her and making her happy. She wondered what kind of husband or lover he would have made; she couldn't believe that Lucreccia has refused him. Tifa then realized how similar she and Vincent were sacrificing everything for someone who they loved never to be loved in return. Perhaps that's why they had their silent understanding, perhaps that's why he had wanted her to stay so neither if them would be alone. As she watched him staring into the fire she felt something stir in her heart.

Well I updated sooner than I expected. Please review I like detailed reviews to see exactly what people think, but I am more than pleased with any review. Thank you so much for reading. All my love to Falkon Frostblade.