Chapter 4.
The next few days were a little weird for Vincent. He hadn't seen Lucrecia since that night. He did keep an eye out for her in the halls but he never got to see her. He was always talking with Dariel about the up coming missions that were in store for them. And pretty much all they were doing was patrolling the Headquarters making sure nothing would stand in the Scientists' way.
Lucrecia was always in Vincent's mind. He couldn't stop thinking about her. He even wrote her initials during morning meetings. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't get her out of his mind. He wanted to see her again. He wanted to see her, hear her voice, smell her perfume. It was haunting him. He felt like he would fall down dead if he couldn't see her again. And that was then, came his luck.
Vincent was signing some papers he was suppose to go through when Satie walked in. "Hey, Valentine." He said. Vincent looked up at the Turk. "What, Satie?" He asked irritably. Satie helded out a stack of papers.
"Can you deliver these papers to the labatories on the first basement floor? I would do it but I'm stuck doing my rounds in the Sector 3 slums. And I'm already late." He said. Vincent sighed and nodded. "Alright." he said standing up. Satie nodded. "Thanks, man. I owe you one." He said. Vincent shook his head as he took the papers and started to leave. He walked wearily towards the elevator and started to go down.
Leaning against the glass wall he ran his hand through his hair. He hadn't been sleeping too well since he met Lucrecia. He was tired most of the time now. As he went down he glanced at the papers. They were just permission forms. Something about an experiment called Project Jenova. Vincent shook his head and looked out the window.
Finally he reached the floor. It sure took long enough. The labs were deserted. There appeared to be no one in there. The lights were dim and there was no one in sight. Vincent looked around cautiously but walked towards one desk and decided to just leave the files there and leave. Apparantely there was no one in the labs tonight. He turned and started to leave but stopped when he heard the humming. The sweetest voice. He turned and looked around but he couldn't see anyone. He began to follow the voice towards the back of the labatory where there were book shelves. He carefully peered around the corner and his breath was caught.
There she was. She was looking through a few books making marks. Her finger twirling a strand of hair. She even wore reading glasses. She looked so happy while humming. Vincent felt his breath be taking away by the sight of her. His heart started to pound. He smiled and put his hand on the book shelf. He wondered if he should interrupt and talk to her. Vincent listened to her longer.
Lucrecia was just flipping through records learning about ShinRa workers when she came to one page. She almost flipped over it but her hand shot forward stopping the page. She turned back and looked over the pictures and words. It was a record of the Turk called Vincent Valentine. She studied Vincent's face and smiled. She touched his picture softly.
"I follow the night.
Can't stand the light."
She sighed and leaned against the wall. Her eyes still on Vincent's picture. She thought he was one of the most best looking men ever.
"When will I begin to live again?
One day I'll fly away.
Leave all this city to yesterday."
Her eyes went back to Vincent's picture. Her hand resting on the book before closing it.
"What more could your love do for me?
When will your love be through with me?"
She quickly picked up some books and began to put them into the book cases.
"Why live life from dream to dream,
and dread the day when dreaming ends?"
Vincent smiled softly so intrigued by Lucrecia. His heart soared, flipping through the air now that he was hearing her singing again. He crept along the book shelves looking at her between books.
"How wonderful life is, now that your in the world." He whispered.
Lucrecia turned her head a little but then shook her head. She thought she had heard someone but she figuared it was only her imagination. Once she put the books in their rightful places, she began to climb the stairway to the cat walk. She stood on the balconey and held her chin high.
"One day I'll fly away.
Leave all this city to yesterday.
Why live life from dream to dream?"
She hadn't seen Vincent standing in the shadows watching her with breathlessness. Lucrecia sighed and lowered her head.
"And dread the day……when dreaming ends."
She turned and started walking down the stairs back to her book rack. She sighed and started filing books again.
"One day, I'll fly away.
Fly, fly…..away."
She began putting the books away. Vincent looked around the corner of the other side and watched her. He nervously ran his hand through his hair and was about to step forward when something caught his eye. Something in the shadows. He squinted his eyes and then they went wide.
A evil looking creature was coming towards Lucrecia. It was an ugly looking thing but that didn't worry Vincent. It was the fangs and claws glinting in the small light. It was snarling softly and crouching low looking ready to pounce on Lucrecia. Vincent's eyes shot to Lucrecia who was still looking at books. She only looked up when she heard the snarling.
She gasped fearfully and stepped back. The monster roared and leaped high into the air towards Lucrecia. Lucrecia gave a start. But jumped even more when she felt the strong arm around her waist pulling her close to something built strong. Another arm went over her shoulder that was holding a gun and fired. The beast flew back from the impact of the bullet hitting the ground with a loud thud. Lucrecia spun around in her rescuer's arms and buried her tearful face into his chest. Vincent slid his gun into his holster and put his hand on her back holding her close. Lucrecia was shivering from fear and sobbing into his chest.
Suddenly the lights went on and several people started to file into the labs. "What the blazes!" Someone exclaimed. A Professor Vincent hadn't seen before hurried up staring at the creature. Hojo ran up and looked outraged. "My beloved specism!" He cried out bending by the monster. Vincent gritted his teeth with annoyance. The other Professor turned around and looked at Vincent and Lucrecia. "What is going on here?" He asked.
Lucrecia lightly pulled away and looked up at Vincent. Her eyes went wider from surprise and she pulled away from him. Vincent just stepped forward around her towards the Professor. "I am very sorry, Professor. The creature is dead because of me. It was attacking Lucre…um, Miss Toulouse. I was only protecting her, sir." He said. Hojo stood angrily and stomped forward. "That is one of my experiments, Turk! You have just killed a 3 year old experiment of mine!" He yelled angrily.
The other Professor looked at him. "Professor Hojo! Stop! It almost killed our assisstant. As long as she is safe, nothing else matters." He said smiling towards Lucrecia who looked down. He looked back at Vincent. "Thank you, Mr.?" He asked. Vincent stood taller. "Valentine. Vincent Valentine, sir." He said. The Professor smiled and nodded. "Mr. Valentine. I am Professor Gast, the Head of ShinRa's science department. I would like to thank you for saving our dear Lucrecia's life." He said. Vincent turned around and looked at her. "No problem, sir. I was just doing my duty." He said. Hojo stood and growled angrily. "What were you doing down here in the first place! Only scientists and special officials are allowed! Turks are not!" He exclaimed.
Vincent shot him a look. "I was just delivering some important files, sir. It is on that desk over there." He said pointing the desk out. Hojo growled not looking. "Then why did you remain here instead of leaving immediately!" He exclaimed. Vincent blinked a few times. He was stumped on that question. But he shook his head and scowled. "I just saved Lucrecia's life, Professor! The least thing you could do is apoligize to her for your….your monster's mistake!" He snapped. Hojo stepped forward but Gast stopped him. "Hojo, he has a point. Your experiment had almost killed Lucrecia. If it wasn't for Mr. Valentine, she would be." He said.
Hojo yanked away and sent Vincent the dirtiest look then turned his look onto Lucrecia who cringed. Then he spun on his heel and stormed away. Gast sighed and shook his head. He looked at Lucrecia. "Are you alright, my dear?" He asked. Lucrecia nodded still looking at the ground. Vincent was still glaring after Hojo. "I would like to apoligize to the both of you. You see, Hojo has been working on this experiment for five years. And it has been very important to him. Now he will have to start all over." He said.
Vincent shook his head. "I may be stepping out of place by saying this, sir. But he is stupid to think that a monster like that is worth more than Lucrecia. She is worth more than that creature. Worth more than the stars and the moon. Even…" He stopped himself when he reliezed what he was saying. He went a little red and shut his mouth. He caught sight of the look on Lucrecia's face. She had amazement, surprise and even awe. So did Professor Gast. He was smiling and nodding. "I see. That is very interesting, Mr. Valentine." He said with a nod. Vincent looked away. "I must be getting back to my duties, sir." He said bowing to Gast and then to Lucrecia then walked away.
Lucrecia watched him with a faint look. Gast smiled and stepped closer. "You know, Miss Toulouse." He said. Lucrecia looked at him with an innocent look. Gast nodded after Vincent who was hurrying up the stairs. "A man like that is hard to come by. He's a better man than I." He admitted. Lucrecia tilted her head thoughtfully. "No, Professor. No man can be better than you. Your so wise and kind. You remind me of my father." She said.
Gast smiled and shook his head. He lightly touched Lucrecia's face. "And you remind me of a daughter, Lucy. When I have a child, that is if I have a child, I hope she'll be like you." He said. Lucrecia just smiled and blushed. Gast nodded. "Your free to go. Don't worry about the books. I'll have someone else do it. Just go home and relax. Go be a normal girl and buy things." He said. Lucrecia laughed and nodded. "Alright." She said starting a way. She paused after a few steps and turned around.
"Oh, Professor?" She asked. Gast looked back at her. "Yes, Lucrecia?" He asked. Lucrecia bit her lip. "Um, I handed in my papers yesterday to your office. I was wondering if you looked them over. Because I would like to take part in Project Jenova. I mean, if it's alright with you." She said with a nod.
Gast had a serious look now. "My dear, I do remember telling you and the others that this project is highly dangerous. We are going to use a more experienced scientist for it." He said. Lucrecia folded her hands together. "Oh, please, sir. It would mean a lot to me. When I read the information about it, I know I can do it. Please, sir. Please?" She begged. Gast sighed. He rubbed his forhead.
"I'll have to discuss it with Hojo. After all it is his idea to something like this. But to tell you the truth, I think you may have a possible chance to participate in the Project." He said. Lucrecia smiled cheerfully. "Thank you, sir. Thank you so much!" She said. She turned and skipped out. Gast shook his head smiling after her.