The Reckoning: Vincent's Goodbye

Chapter V

Vincent's eyes slowly studied the room about him, taking in every last detail that he possibly could. With his heightened senses, he could tell what had been moved recently, moved often, and even tell where Tifa spent most of her time… It seemed apparent that Tifa spent most of her time at her vanity, where along the mirror were several pictures that she had taken of Vincent, candid photos, and even some that Vincent had allowed to be taken of himself with her. Vincent was quite surprised until he saw a picture of Cloud holding Tifa close, and then the pain slowly crept to his heart once more. The pleasant thoughts he had in his mind were quickly destroyed when he saw the image. (I must remember, I can't have her… She will never be mine. How could she love me? Look at me… Cloud, as much as I hate him… He is luck to have her love.)

Vincent paced the room to see what else Tifa had lying about her room in the open. (Had she intended me to see the pictures of me?) Vincent found the gun he gave to Tifa laying on her dresser, well polished and in perfect working condition. (So, she really did wish to learn how to use a gun… And she has taken care of it, impressive.) Vincent stood still a moment, memories filling his mind making him smile. Not too long did he think, before his thoughts were disrupted again and he continued moving about the room. Tifa's bed was decorated with black satin sheets and a dark purple blanket, soft to the touch but more than suited to keep a couple warm after an evening of love making. (She even listened to my ideal bed? I thought the fact I slept in a coffin would bother her… My favorite colors lining her bed. I wonder if she would introduc… Hm?)

"Tifa, you can come in now. I heard you walking up the stairs, and trying your best to remain quiet walking to the room. You would not have been disturbing me, you could have walked in. It is okay." (Tifa was curious as to what I was doing? That is odd…)

Tifa's head poked through the door before she opened it completely, she looked at Vincent, her face a deep red. "Oh… Heya Vincent… I was just… Watching you through the door?" Tifa laughed a little bit, she felt completely embarrassed in front of him. (Oh man… Now he really must think I'm crazy.)

"I could tell. I felt your eyes following me as I walked around. I see you took care of your gun. Perhaps I can show you a few more techniques during my visit. I may be here for a while, or perhaps no time at all. We shall see."

"That would be great! I've been working on my accuracy, but I'm not fast with a gun like you are. I remember seeing how quickly you shot Hojo and how you did it. I want to be able to shoot like that. Can you touch me? Please?"

"We will see Tifa." (I hate it when she says that…) Vincent was weakned when girls said please to him, since it came so seldom. Tifa only made it worse, since he cared for her so strongly. Tifa was Vincent's weakness, but he did not mind. He actually enjoyed having frailty over love, but understood well enough it could be devastating. He knew all too well that love could be devastating.

"Well then… What's going on? Are you feeling all right? Want to do something together? What are your plans for tomorrow?"

"Not so many questions at once." Vincent shrugged and laughed. Tifa's eyes lit up hearing Vincent laugh. Not many could make him do such a thing. Only she and Cid could do anything to make him laugh, and sometimes Nanaki. "Nothing is going on. And I feel fine. I try to never plan. Planning leaves you vulnerable to pain, but only sometimes. Sometimes it can be quite fun, and filled with happiness." A short pause of silence went on before Vincent next spoke. "What do you mean do something together?" Now Vincent was the curious one, for never did Tifa ask him if he wanted to spend time with her.

"I don't know. I guess it was a stupid question. I do that a lot." (I should have known he wouldn't want to spend time with me. I guess that's what I get for hoping…)

"It was not a stupid question. It did catch me off guard though. If you are still interested, I would not mind doing something with you. If you can think of something to do, we will go from there. But tonight, I believe we should just rest. We can talk more tomorrow, and find something for the both of us to do."

(Can I do you?) Tifa busted up laughing in front of Vincent at her thought, and tried talking to him but it didn't go too well. "All right Vincent. If you don't care, I'll sleep with you."

Vincent nearly choked himself to death over her words as he heard them pass from her lips. "Excuse me? What do you mean?"

"Not that you pervert! Maybe I shouldn't trust you in here at all with you thinking like that!"

"I am sorry. I will leave you." Vincent spoke with a hint of shame in his voice, he had disgusted himself with what he had said.

"I'm only kidding Vincent. I'm going to go take a shower. I'd better not find you lurking around trying to see me naked either. Hear me?" Tifa laughed as she looked at Vincent and turned away, sticking her butt out at him. She was flaunting herself to Vincent, taunting him, tempting him, and enjoying every second of it.

(What I would do with her… Wait. Enough! I can't think about her like that. Perhaps I should just remain quiet the rest of my time here…) For the time being, Vincent did remain quiet. He sat on the bed in silence, not even thinking to himself, but left his eyes closed as he awaited Tifa to return.

Nearly half an hour had passed before Tifa walked in the door. Vincent kept his eyes closed, but tried to follow where she moved to.

"Vincent, open your eyes once in a while. It would do you some good you know?" More laughter, more giggling came from Tifa. She seemed happier now than she had ever been around Vincent.

As Vincent opened his eyes, nothing could have prepared him for what he would see. "Tifa, what are you doing?" Tifa was wrapped only in a towel, key word being was. She dropped the towel in front of Vincent, exposing her completely to him, and began to put on her evening gown. It was well suited for her company, made of a material resembling black velvet, but shimmered, and was comfortable for sleeping in.

"What, never seen a woman naked before? Don't be so silly Vincent. Come on now, get ready for bed, I've got a long day planned for you tomorrow! It'll be fun too!"

"I'm ready for bed."

"Dressed like that? You still have your cape and black outfit on. Come on… I have something you can wear, hold on!" Vincent didn't like the sound of that, but he waited patiently as Tifa went to the closet and pulled something out. Whatever it was, he would wear it for her. Tifa came back with only a pair of boxers and tossed them to Vincent.

"If this is what you would honestly like me to wear, I will wear it for you. But do not tell anyone, okay? I have an image and reputation to protect. On second thought, I do not mind. It is my pleasure to make you happy Tifa. Please, tell anyone you wish of the things I do to make you happy. That would make me happy…"

"Thanks Vincent, you're the greatest! Now let me see you put them on." (I wonder if he'll really do this…)

"I will wear them, but I will most certainly not change in front of you." Vincent walked over to Tifa's closet and opened the door so that she could not see him so he could change. Vincent stepped out from behind the door and looked at Tifa with some humility. "How do I look?"

"You look fine Vincent, but you still have to take off your bandana and veil. At least do that much for me. Please?" She accentuated the please this time. She could somewhat tell that it made Vincent weak enough to do what she asked of him.

"Fine… In addition to the blue flame boxers he was now wearing for Tifa, Vincent removed his bandana and veil. His hair fell carelessly around his naked face that Tifa had never seen before. Her heart raced in her chest. She thought Vincent was a handsome individual, but never did she think he was this attractive.

"Let's… Let's just get into bed Vincent. Let's get some sleep. Okay?" Tifa got up off the bed from how she was laying so innocently to pull back the covers. She slid herself carefully onto the bed, trying to look seductive to Vincent, but he seemed not to pay any attention. Instead, he just walked over to the bed and got comfortable beside her.

(What do I do now? I've waited to get him so close to me, and I never thought we would get this close, but what do I do?) "Vincent, please hold me…" Vincent wrapped his arms around Tifa, and pulled up the purple blanket to cover the both of them before they at last feel asleep together. Vincent went to sleep last, intent on listening to Tifa's breathing, and just taking the time to watch her as she slept. She was so beautiful to him; he did not want to miss this opportunity.

Before Tifa at last fell asleep herself, only a few thoughts passed into her mind. (Vincent doing this alone makes me feel like something special… I'm lucky to have him as a friend. I just wish we could be something more. Goodnight Vincent…)