The Reckoning: Vincent's Goodbye

Chapter II

Almost an entire year had past since the epic battle at the crater had taken place, and it had been almost as long since Vincent last saw everyone. Vincent felt empty inside, without a purpose since that time. He was not sure at all if any good was left to come of him any longer. He was not for certain about anything, really. Only one thing remained in his mind between one visit and the next to his friends: Tifa. Each time he left, Vincent struggled with himself to actually leave her behind, feeling anguish in believing that she was in love with Cloud. Vincent had found Hell and faced the demons within him, but he could not find the courage to talk to Tifa and ask her about her feelings. It was his downfall…

Midgar was nice this time of year, or so Vincent thought. He visited so rarely that he never came to understand the weather never really changed, nor did the atmosphere. Somehow though, he felt calm in the sectors below the plate. It has been so long since I've seen her face… What am I going to say? How should I act? Damn it Vincent, get a hold of yourself, you're losing your composure he thought. Vincent hid his feelings well on his exterior with his unchanging facial expressions upon his smooth, pale face. The way he carried himself, it was as if he honestly had not a care in the world about anything, or anyone. On the inside however, his mind was never at ease, always filled with wonder, fear, doubt, the future, and the many other thoughts that would flood his mind.

At last, Vincent had arrived at the newly rebuilt Seventh Heaven, Barret's new bar. As he walked up the stairs, carefully stepping so as to be quiet, a drunkard was thrown back down the stairs and hit the ground below rather hard. Familiar screams were heard from within the building. Vincent knew Tifa could handle herself, it's one thing he really loved about her. Deciding now wouldn't be the time to surprise her like he intended, he simply walked through the doors and met her eyes with his own, standing upright and calm. Tifa stopped yelling long enough to blink a few times in her disbelief that Vincent was before her.

"Vincent! I've missed you so much!" Tifa's excitement was obvious as she ran up and kissed his cheek, hugging him tightly. Vincent reciprocated the hug, but the kiss had no obvious effect on him. I know you're not emotional Vincent… But sometimes I wish you would respond when I show you affection. Maybe it's not good enough, maybe you don't care, or maybe it's not obvious to you…

"Tifa, are you all right?"

"Uh… Yeah, sure! Why wouldn't I be? Things have been great here. You've been missing a lot!" Tifa enjoyed conversation, but she never could find the right words with Vincent.

"Oh. Really? Maybe I should get out more." Vincent smirked as he spoke, but he preferred solitude in his coffin above all else, save any time he can spend with Tifa.

Tifa sighed, "No, not really… It's the same things over and over again here. You and Cloud are what saves me from insanity anymore."

"I see… Do you have any rooms available? Adding on the inn portion was clever."

"I think… No, no we're full. But… Why don't you stay in my room for now? It's the last room on the left. Don't be too afraid when you walk in. Remember Vincent, I am a girl after all."

"Are you sure…? Fear of a girl's room is not a fear that I have. Where will you sleep though?" Vincent was quite curious, and he hopes of his own formed in his mind as he inquired.

"I get off of work around midnight. I'll be sleeping in my room too you know. There is only one bed, but I don't mind sharing it with you. I trust you. Or who knows, maybe you'll surprise me a little bit one of these days?" What did I just say? Vincent probably thinks I'm psycho right now.

What did she just say? Collecting himself, "I do not know what you mean. Perhaps you can explain yourself sometime. But if you will excuse me, I'm going to relax and think. I bid you goodnight."

"Goodnight Vincent…" Tifa returned to bartending quickly after she realized she had been talking to him for so long. Vincent was distant as always, but Tifa thought he was further distant from her than ever this time. Is something wrong with him? Is something wrong with me? He must really think I'm psycho…

A.N.: Fun thoughts, are they not? How often do we feel we've done this? Let's see what Tifa's room is like. This should be interesting.