Chapter 33 - Blood

They talked with Tendo, telling him everything that had happened over the past few days. Tifa sat silent, only answering questions that were put to her by Tendo. Vincent stood quietly in the shadows, leaning up against the bulkhead, and watching the old man.

Tendo stood up and sighed. He paced around the table and stood in front of Tifa. He took a tiny flashlight out of his coat pocket and, lifting Tifa's chin, he shined its pinpoint light into her eyes. "And you say this child was conceived only three days ago?" he asked.

"Four now," replied Cloud, shifting uncomfortably on his feet.

"Please stand up, my dear," Tendo lifted Tifa's hands and pulled her from her seat at the table. She stood before him with eyes downcast, embarrassed by the attention on her.

"Yes, well if I was to guess, and I'm not an Obstetrician mind you, I would say you look to be about seven months along," he mused.

"How is that possible?" asked Cloud. Finally someone who could give them some real answers.

"Obviously the drug she was given has had an effect on her gestation cycle," Tendo answered. "The question now becomes, what was in the drug?"

He thought to himself for a moment and said "I need some blood samples and I need my laboratory. I also need to go back to the hospital and retrieve the records I was looking for when you found me."

"Ok. Barret, Cid, and Dr. Tendo come with Tifa and me. Vincent, you and Red stay here and watch the ship," barked Cloud, moving out of the room.

"No, I'll come with you. Cid should stay here," said Vincent in a low voice.

His words surprised Cloud and he spun around and looked at his friend. He assumed that Vincent wouldn't want to be around Tendo. He shrugged and said, "Ok Vincent, if that's what you want."

Cloud left Tifa in the SUV with Vincent and Barret while he accompanied Tendo back into the hospital to retrieve the records he needed. He had left the motorcycle on the ship and so climbed back into the truck with Dr. Tendo and drove off to find his laboratory.

Tifa sat in the back between Cloud and Tendo, saying nothing during the ride. Cloud glanced down at her face, his unease at her silence growing. "This is not like her," he thought. The put an arm around her shoulders and drew her to him so she could rest her head on his shoulder. "Perhaps she's just tired."

With Dr. Tendo directing them, they wound their way through the city and approached a small single storey home on the outskirts of town. It had obviously seen better days; the grassy lawn was gone, replaced by dirt, and thick vines now covered much of the front of the building.

"This is it," said Tendo, getting out of the vehicle. "My lab is downstairs." He led the group through the house and down some basement stairs. Tifa paused at the top of the steps, looking down into the dark basement below and grasped the stair railing with trembling hands. "It's ok, baby, I'm right here," Cloud whispered in her ear. He stood behind her, waiting for her to take the first step down. "Take your time." Tendo turned and looked back up at Tifa, seeing the struggle on her face. He flicked the light switch on to illuminate the hallway below and waited for her to descend.

Tifa stood at the top of the stairs, frozen to the spot. Her mind flashed back to the room in the mansion with Kadj and for a second thought she was back there. She closed her eyes for a few seconds and slowed her breathing. "Keep it together," she whispered to herself. She took a first tentative step down the stairs, holding tight on to the handrail. Gathering her courage, she walked down the rest of the steps, feeling Cloud close behind her and followed Tendo into a large, brightly lit room.

"Please sit over there, my dear," he said, motioning to a stool near a bench by the wall. Cloud walked her over to the stool and sat her down, real concern showing on his face now.

"I need to take blood samples from both of you," said Tendo. He labeled two clear glass vials and attached themto syringes.

"You need my blood too?" asked Cloud.

"Of course, my boy. After all, it was your chromosomes that started all this," answered Tendo. He took blood from both of them and walked over to an array of microscopes across the room. Without looking up from his work he mumbled "There is a bedroom upstairs. I suggest you take her up to it and let her rest."

"Good idea," said Cloud. He stood and helped Tifa back up the stairs with Baret following him.

"Hey Doc, do ya got any coffee in this place?" asked Barret over his shoulder as he left the room.

"Somewhere" mumbled Tendo, already engrossed in his work.

Vincent stayed in the laboratory, standing with arms crossed leaning up against the wall, watching Tendo.

Cloud led Tifa through the small house and found a bedroom in the back. The bed had obviously not been used in a long while as there was a thin layer of dust everywhere, but the sheets were clean and the bed looked comfortable. Without speaking, he pulled Barret's huge t-shirt over Tifa's head and laid her down on the bed, covering her with the blankets. He sat down on the bed next to her and softly kissed her closed eyelids.

"Are you ok?" he asked with a worried expression on his face.

"Stay with me, Cloud," she answered in a small voice. She pulled tentatively at his arm. He smiled at her, stood to take his clothes off, and slipped into the bed next to her. He held her close to him, feeling her arms slip around his waist and her breath on his cheek. He pressed his lips to hers in a gentle kiss and stroked her hair. He closed his eyes, willing his body to calm. He knew this was not the time for passion, but his body didn't. She smiled to herself as she felt his passion grow and snuggled closer into the base of his neck.

The closeness of her, her smell, the softness of her skin drove him crazy and he lost the battle with his body. They made love with gentle passion.