Author: Thanks for all the reviews! I love you guys!

Raven Cactaur - I'm glad you enjoyed Tifa seeing Vincent naked you sicko. lol. She actually probably only caught a glimpse since she 'clapped her hand over her eyes' but whatever. Any glimpse is a good glimpse ;)

Names are Figments - Um..........I hate to break it to you, but Vincent is not gay. :P I know that is very disappointing to you, but we have therapy for people like you. I'm sorry. Just teasing. Vincent makes the comment about Tifa's shirt because (unlike you) he is secure with his sexual orientation and loves Tifa. Last time I checked, Tifa wasn't a man. O_O Also, when he said "cute waiter" it was because he was teasing Tifa and making fun of her that she was getting hit on by some person a lot younger then her. So yah. If you want proof that he's not gay then just keep reading the next few chapters. *smiles innocently and pretends that she didn't give away any hints*

Mononoke - Yayness! Someone likes me! *turns to Sephiroth* You are a (expletive)!!!!

Sephiroth: *cries and runs away*

Ha! So there! I told him just for you. :D Don't worry. You'll find out Vincent's plan soon enough. In fact, probably in this chapter. lol. I'm glad you think I'm cool. You're probably the only one. :P But thankies and lots of huggles for you!

Refrigerate After Opening - Oooo! Lucky you! Yes, we have a 2 for 1 deal today! lol. I'm sorry if my author's notes bother you, but they're are there solely to annoy and it's nice to know they get they job done. ;) *hands her a breadstick* Bap away. *laughs while reader baps Vincent repeatedly with the breadstick* Now I hope that's out of your system so we can give Vincent back to Tifa and they can "discover how much they love each other" *shudders* lol. I'm not so sure anything like 'that' is going to happen, but your inner togetherness person-ma-bobber should be satisfied by next chapter. Vincent is going to try to cheer Tifa up, but it won't necessarily work..................she has some other internal conflicts going on that Vincent doesn't know about yet. Awwww. Poor girl. Just for you, I made this chapter mostly from Tifa's point of view. I didn't even realize that Vincent was hogging the stage. Thankies for pointing that out. Lots of huggles for you too!

The Highwaywoman - I'm glad you like Vincent when he's "aroused" lol. I wouldn't quite take it that far, but who am I to argue with my readers? :P What exactly is a 'glomp'? I've been intrigued since the first review that you wrote that in. Hmmmmm............it sounds like some sort of hitting thing.................hopefully. O_O

Me talking to everyone now: Thank you all for your wonderful/disturbing/amusing/allrighty then reviews! I loved reading them and I decided that for the first time ever I would actually comment on them instead of just nodding at my computer and going "uh-huh. uh-huh." To any new readers who may be getting to this chapter now, thankies to you too for reading it too! I love all my readers! You guys are so awesome when you aren't trying to gouge my eyes out! Yayness! Here's the next chapter! Just for you! ^_^

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Throughout the day, as the two travelled on, Vincent couldn't help but notice Tifa's sad demeanour. Every now and then he'd glance back at her riding Ashlei and she would be staring at the ground sadly with uncomprehending eyes. He pulled Torro back until they were alongside Tifa and Ashlei, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder.

Tifa's head jerked up fearfully, but she relaxed when she saw it was Vincent. "You all right Tifa?" Vincent asked with a concerned tone. She nodded with a fake smile.

"Yah. I'm fine. Why do you ask?"

Vincent couldn't help but feel insulted by the pathetic display she was using to try and throw him off. How stupid did she think he was? Tifa could still feel Vincent's eyes on her, waiting for a more satisfactory answer. Tilting her head at him innocently, she smiled and batted her eyelashes.

"I know I'm beautiful, but you don't have to stare." Shaking his head, Vincent moved back to his place in front of her and sped up a little, the chocobo under Tifa following suit. She breathed a quiet sigh of relief. She had been worried that he'd get her to spill the whole thing. He had a way of getting her to tell him things that she would never dream of letting get past her lips. It was as though he had some sort of power over her. In a good way, of course. A small smile came to her lips as she watched his back. His head was faced towards the path they were travelling on, but she could clearly see he was deep in thought. Most likely, he was trying to figure out what was upsetting her. He shouldn't let things like that bother him. She wasn't worth it.

After another hour or two of riding they finally came within sight of Nibelheim and Tifa felt her heart beginning to beat faster. Why was she dreading this place so much? It had to more then that stupid dream. The town drew closer and closer and she could make out the tops of the houses against the gray sky. When was the last time she had been here? It'd been so long.............. She hadn't even thought about her hometome since Cloud had................well....................it was better not to think about that.

She noticed Vincent looking at her again and made an effort to look less miserable then she felt. Why did she feel like she was going to cry? It was her own fault that, that had happened to her. No use getting upset about it. She was sure it happened to other people all the time. Ashlei stopped behind Torro when Vincent signalled him and she shakily got down off the chocobo. Stumbling forward Vincent caught her in his arms and held her shaking form against him. She didn't want him to worry. Why was she being so weak? He looked down at her with a worried frown spreading across his brow and brushed a strand of hair away from her face.

"Tell me. Please."

Three simple words, but the result could be disastrous. "I told you already........I'm fine......." He didn't look like he believed her, but he didn't pry further. He leaned down and kissed her gently, then released her from his grip, took the chocobos reigns, and headed into the town. He stopped and looked back at her.

"Coming?" Nodding quickly, Tifa ran to catch up with him. Why couldn't she bring herself to trust him? Maybe if she told someone what "he" had done to her then she would feel better. Vincent reached out his free hand and pulled Tifa over by the waist, holding her close to him as they walked. She was grateful for the warmth and caring she could feel radiating from the one she loved. He seemed to be brooding as much as she was.

Neither said a word for the rest of the walk to the Shinra Mansion. After getting the chocobos settled and happy in the small stable around the back, Vincent led Tifa inside. She almost giggled at the sight of him quickly trying to dust things and set everything in order before she could see the poor condition of the house.

"Your room is this way," Vincent said, gesturing for her to follow him. The house had an eerie silence to it and she felt like she was trapped inside some great black monster. The shadows kept causing Vincent to seem like he was melting away at times. How could he stand living here all alone? It must be awful. Speeding up her pace a little to stay closer to Vincent she glanced around nervously at the ominous looking dark that seemed to engulf them. They reached a room at last after a few set of stairs and Vincent showed Tifa in.

The walls were a deep burgundy colour with matching drapes on the window and a comfy looking bed sat in the middle of the room with a red and black bedspread. Vincent shook out the blankets and re-made the bed while Tifa wandered along the wall and over to the window. She pulled back the drapes and forced the window open. A soft breeze blew into the room and she felt a little less claustrophobic. She turned back around to see Vincent lighting a candle and placing it on the small table beside the bed. He seemed to suddenly notice her looking at him and spoke quietly.

"I hope this room is satisfactory. I do not have electricity here so we'll have to manage with candles once it becomes dark."

"It's beautiful! But it's only a single bed." Tifa gave him a significant look and hoped he understood what she was getting at. She could've sworn there was a smirk on Vincent's face at her comment.

"Well, then I guess you will be sleeping alone for a few nights. You were the one who wished to come along. These are the only quarters I have to offer." The way he was acting was more Vincent-like then she appreciated. A small grin passed over his lips. "Deal with it."

She smiled at that. He had known she would. Stepping forward, he pulled her into a hug and kissed her cheek.

"I'm sure that a few nights by yourself will be more refreshing then you could ever imagine. I also have a lot of work to get done before I have to take you back as well so a separate room will most likely be the only place I won't be distracted."

"Where will you be?" Tifa asked, not wanting to admit that the place scared her. Couldn't he see that all she wanted to do was be with him? The only thing she wanted was to curl up on the bed with Vincent and try to forget that one horrible thing. Cloud had really left a scar.

Vincent shrugged, not noticing her pleading look. "I'll be around. I may go down to the library. I have to see where I left off in my documents. I haven't quite finished a few things that needed to be done last week and I may start some new things before you head back."

"Before 'I' head back?" Tifa said sceptically, raising her eyebrows.

"Fine. Before we head back. You're welcome to do whatever you can find to amuse yourself in this dusty place. It's quite boring so don't say I didn't warn you. Your home is here, is it not?" Tifa nodded and became quiet again. "Perhaps you could see if it's still the same as when you left. Maybe your childhood trinkets and what-nots are still intact."

Tifa simply sighed and pulled away from him. "Yah, maybe." Vincent kicked himself mentally for making her sad again, even if it was unintentionally. She turned her tear-filled eyes away from him and shivered slightly. The open window was letting in more air then she cared for. She closed it quickly and ignored Vincent's inquiring look. "Where is your room anyway?" she asked, trying to distract him from her problems.

"I haven't quite decided yet," Vincent commented, blinking and continuing to look at her carefully.

"You haven't decided? But where do you usually stay...............?" Her question trailed off as she looked around the room again, realizing who it must belong to. "Oh." Her shoulders fell and she shook her head. "I can't take your room. That's not fair Vincent. I'll just stay in my old house."

Vincent's eyes darkened and he frowned at her. "I think not! There is no way that I'm allowing a guest in my home and making them stay in another house. I will be fine. You will stay. That's final." With that final word, Vincent turned and left the room with his cape billowing out behind him. Tifa slumped down onto the bed and stared at the door Vincent had gone through. She hadn't heard his voice sound that harsh and unfriendly in a long time. 'He must not like being here any more then I do,' she thought with a sigh. She knew that she only came to spend more time with Vincent and that she was here of her own free will, but she had forgotten a lot of painful memories that were associated with this place. Curling up on her side, she hugged the pillow in her arms and breathed in the comforting scent of Vincent. She kicked off her shoes, not wanting to get his blankets all dirt covered. Maybe she should find him and apologize............. She closed her eyes, torn between making amends and staying in the safely lit room. The dark empty hallway didn't exactly appeal to her. Even if the sun hadn't been setting, the house was already quite dark during the day.

She felt a few tears run down her cheek and curled tighter against the mattress. Without realizing it, her body relaxed and she drifted off to sleep. Vincent leaned over his work and pulled the candle closer across the desk. Professor Ghast and Professor Hojo had been in the middle of their research when they left and Vincent found all their journals and documents fascinating. He had been going through all the ones about him to try and discover what had been done to his body and possibly reverse it. His financial affairs were a whole other story. He was so sick of trying to calculate his net worth and owner's equity that he had been close to screaming. Maybe now was a good time to set his plan in motion. With a frustrated sigh he shoved all the papers and books to the side and stood up, leaving the downstairs library. Passing his "room" downstairs where Avalanche had found him always brought back bad memories. He never wanted to sleep in that coffin again.

Heading up the spiralling staircase and back onto the main floor, he smiled fondly at Tifa's sleeping form. He quickly went outside into the dark, with a candle in one hand, and picked as many red roses as he could carry from the garden outside. They grew in abundance along the side of the mansion and he had decided to put them to good use. He carefully carried them all back to the room where Tifa was sleeping and set the candle down. One by one he plucked the petals off the roses and sprinkled them around Tifa's sleeping form. He laid a whole rose next to her fingertips so she would find it when she awoke. Once the bed and her body were practically covered with petals he started to walk backwards out of the room, dropping more petals on the floor as he went. He had already strategically placed candles along the hall and stairs where he wanted them and lit them, all the while trying not to drop the remaining roses or light them on fire. It took him a good half an hour to make it all the way down the stairs and into the large dining room where the piano was, but he endured every bit of it for Tifa. Setting the last rose on the piano, he lit another candle to shed some light on the dark room. (A/N: Man, he seems to have an unlimited supply of those candles doesn't he?)

Vincent lifted the lid covering the ivory keys and ran his fingers lightly over them, listening for any out of tune notes. Satisfied that everything was set, he began to play a song that he had written himself. His fingers flew over the keys as the heartfelt melody poured forth from him. His fingers found the notes themselves and he closed his eyes, taking in the soothing music.

Tifa jerked awake to a beautiful song playing somewhere in the house. It was almost weird not waking up in Vincent's arms. She couldn't help but love the fluttery feeling she got in her stomach whenever he was near her. She yawned tiredly and propped herself up on one elbow. Rose petals fell gently around her and she gasped, noticing the beautiful sight. Was she still dreaming? A single rose lay near her other hand and she picked it up, breathing in the sweet scent and letting the thorns prick her fingers to make sure was she actually awake. A drop of red ran from the cut and she sucked on her finger, wincing painfully. It wasn't a dream.............

She swung her legs over the edge if the bed and stared unbelievingly at the sight before her eyes. Vincent must have gone to a lot of trouble to do all this. Still carrying her rose, she picked up the candle that was sitting on the bedside table and starting slowly down the hall. The rose petals felt soft and velvety under her bare feet and the soft glow from the white candles along the hall made the house feel more welcoming and warm. Any other colour would have been eerie, but white seemed to make sense. She continued down the long staircase, heading for the lulling music that was drawing her in. Where was it coming from? The rose petals seemed to lead to it so she followed the silky path and came to the double-door entrance of the main dining room. Tifa hesitated for a moment before pushing open the door. She felt like she was intruding on Vincent or something. She hoped he didn't mind her coming in, but then, why else would he have made a trail of rose petals and candles? With a deep breath, she pushed open the door and stepped inside...........

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Author: Mwahahahahahahaha! I'm evil! I know that it's only half way to being a cliffhanger, but...............whatever! lol. I really like the part coming up and I hope you will too. Just to tell you all (and mock you) that flier will come into play in a few chapters, so watch for. Just keep watching! lol. I'm in really good mood right now and I don't know why. Maybe cause I have a bag of popcorn that's all popcorny and ready to be popped! Mmmmmmm......POPCORN! That would be soooooo sweet if someone actually did that rose petal thing. Geez. Think of the huge mess you'd have to clean up after. All the mushy rose petals ground into the white carpet. lol. Good thing Vincent doesn't have carpet. He sure put a lot of rose petals everywhere. Good thing they didn't catch on fire. BOOM! No more Chinese laundry. :P

Ashley: *grins evilly* Little did they know that rose petals were highly combustible! Fwoom! *makes gesture with her hands that implies something is blowing up and making a really big explosion*

Author: Right..............

Vincent: *screams and runs around in circles, on fire* My hair, my hair, my beautiful hair!!!!

Sephiroth: *laughs* My dad's on fire.

Vincent: *stops, drops and rolls* *gets up with slightly shorter, slightly singed hair and glares at Sephiroth* Shut up you. At least my mom wasn't some whore who couldn't figure out who the father was cause she was sleeping around with me! Wait a minute.............

Sephiroth: *cries* You take that back!

Vincent: Don't make me get the wooden spoon. *gives Sephiroth a warning "fatherly" look*

Author: You two! Out of my fic! Right now! Do your kinky stuff where I can't see you!

Vincent: Technically, you can't see us anyway.......

Author: GRARGH! YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN!

Adam: Goos-fraba

Author: *lunges at Adam and strangles him angrily* I TOLD YOU TO STOP SAYING THAT!!!!!!!

Sephiroth: *whispers to Vincent* Um.........dad? Maybe you should go now. I'll take it from here.

Vincent: *nods* Good luck son. And remember, use protection. I don't want to see a bunch of little Authors and Sephiroth's running around. *shudders*

Sephiroth: *blushes and rolls his eyes* Yes, dad.

Vincent: *disappears in a poof* (yes. a poof. that's it. :P)

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Author: Well that was random, stupid, pointless and annoying.

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Author: *shakes her head* Anyway, as I was saying, I wish someone would do that rose thing for me. *sighs forlornly* Not that anyone actually loves me or would spend money on roses, but hey, what can you do? Heehee. I can just see Vincent playing his song on the piano and when Tifa comes in and he's done playing, he hands her a broom and says "well. Better clean up that mess." :P lol. Poor Tifa. That would be really mean. I'd break the broom over his head. I think this is the part of the author's notes where I'm supposed to beg you to review. Um.....REVIEW! Please? lol. I'd really appreciate the support. I love reading all your guy's comments and remarks. So I'll see you next chapter! :D