Grinding

Final Fantasy VII, all rights to the Square-Enix.

XX

She was running to Aeris's house. She would've never thought of having to go back there so soon, especially not in the middle of the night. Riding that damn empty train. It wasn't if anything occurred she couldn't handle a pair of drunkards. Then again, that was her last thought.

"Those were gun-shots. He knew I'd meet up with Reno...he knew!"

She could barely stay still inside the train. The thought that he could have really shot Reno made her crazy. She tried calling his cell but it was turned off.

XX

TWO HOURS EARLIER

XX

An officer tried to calm down Tifa. She kept staring at Reno's lifeless body in shock.

"Lady…please calm down" he shook her.

"He…why is he lying there? What happened?"

"We don't know for sure yet…have you any idea?"

"No…no…I…" it came to her.

What if Vincent in a jealousy rampage intercepted Reno before her and shot him down. The red haired man had been obviously shot. That was for sure.

Tifa got up nervously. She still wasn't completely sure but she had to definitely meet with Vincent and clear things up.

"Madam?"

"I…have to go…please!" she started moving away.

"Hey!" he ran after her but Tifa was much faster and made him give up after a couple of blocks.

XX

Tifa arrived and took a chance to catch her breath for a moment. She had to pick all her will to face him and make him pay…if necessary.

She didn't want to bother the others so she aimed for his window. She ran from the back and immediately recognized the dark drapes, which let a feeble light through. She grabbed some pebbles from the ground and started shooting against his window. She got it right after three tries.

"Vincent!" she screamed as low as she could.

Finally, he shoved away the drapes and raised the window. He looked at her amazed.

"What are you doing here?"

"I need to talk to you!"

"Tifa! It's about 3 am…postpone."

"I didn't come all the way here to bother you mister! Come out here or I'll come and get you!"

Vincent gave her a long stare making sure she was giving him a good reason fro dragging himself out in the cold. He wasn't too pleased to see her after the little afternoon quarrel…and her look didn't presume reconciliation.

XX

He got quickly something warmer on and joined her on the bench right outside the door. She got up before he could sit.

"What have you done? Tonight…like…where were you about two hours ago?"

"You come up at me in the middle of the night to ask me this?"

"Yes Vincent! Answer quickly!"

She kept staring at him…but occasionally moved away nervously.

"Answer dammit!"

"Lower your voice" he took a deep breath "Are you asking me if I was with some other lady?"

"I don't care about that right now! Where's your gun?"

"It's secured, away from kids."

"Stop joking…" she moved away further "You killed Reno, didn't you?"

He was seriously shocked. Sitting slowly on the bench he seemed to relax.

"How can you be so calm" she was furious "So it was you!"

"Is it so obvious?" he had a monotone voice and he seemed relaxed…numb.

"Admit it dammit!" she started crying.

Vincent got up.

"If you think it's me Tifa that's all right to me." He made an awful smile and moved inside.

"Where are you going?"

"I'm tired. You don't want to spend any more of your precious time along this criminal now would you?"

He left. Tifa roamed around the house for a while. Pondering…what to do? Call the police? Not that there was a real law enforcement to trust in times like those….

She decided to go back home. She needed to rest…but she knew she wouldn't be able to catch any sleep.

In fact she didn't even feel like going home…she would see the bakers working already. She made way to the train station. She sat in a bench for a while waiting for her train. No expression…but she was feeling so bad inside. He had hurt so much and yet she still loved him. She'd first leave that apartment, and then look for another job…move elsewhere…whatever place would do. She rather go back hitting the streets than owe him anything.

Once on the train she stayed through the entire ride around Midgar. Eventually the train headed back and she got down at her stop. It was 6 am.

She kept walking and decided to stop eat something at some bakery. Many people were up already. Among the many faces, she swore she had seen that of the woman with Vincent the other day. She ran to her. She…was pretty short, actually no, she was…in a wheelchair!

XX

I had some many trouble finding the right liaison between the events in this chapter. Hope it's a comfortable reading anyway.