Chapter 53

Once the plane was out of view, Vincent shoved his hands into his pockets and slogged back into the base. He went to his room, but once he entered, Vincent found Reno and Rude sitting on his couch.

Vincent was more than a little annoyed at Reno's intrusion into his space, and only gave him a sidelong glance before sitting on the edge of the bed and picking up the book he'd been reading from the nightstand.

Reno didn't give Vincent's blatant attempt to ignore him any heed. He got up from the couch. "So, Vinny, we were thinking that it was time for the three of us to take a little trip."

Sighing heavily, Vincent closed his book and looked up at his son-in-law. "Where?"

"To your place." Reno landed next to Vincent on the bed. "We wanna go check it all out, make sure you got all the bugs and that the area is all clear. Between you, Rude, and me, would should be able to make pretty damn sure we got all the Shinra plants out of the house."

"That's why you didn't want me to go with Tifa and Cid?" Vincent wasn't particularly pleased with this. After all, he'd been a Turk, and a very good one, and he supposed that the chances of him having overlooked any bugs in the house were slim.

"Yeah." Reno bounced where he sat on the bed. "So, get packed up and we'll head out. Brad's got the chopper ready to go."

"You said the helicopter was out of commission, Reno." Vincent got up, not liking the way the red head was jostling the mattress.

"Oops, I guess I lied a little." Reno smiled his most innocent grin.

Vincent threw his book at the other man. "God damn it, Reno."

Rude instantly got up from the bed and put his hand on Vincent's shoulder, turning him around. "It's for the safety of your family, Valentine. And…don't throw things at Reno."

Vincent looked up at the considerably larger man, at once remembering exactly what an imposing presence Rude had always been. He knit his brow, knowing that the former Turk leader's words were, after all, true. "All right. Give me a few minutes to pack up, and we'll go."

"You're the best, Vinny!" Reno said with false enthusiasm, getting up from the bed and heading toward the door. "Come on, Rude. He probably needs to be alone so he can get all of he and Tifa's embarrassing sex toys in the suitcase."

Vincent instantly picked up his book from where it had landed on the floor and flung it at Reno once more, but it never met its mark. Rude caught it mid air, before it struck the ASRIO leader's head.

Rude then proceeded to toss the book back at Vincent. "Again, refrain from doing that."

Vincent caught his book and turned his back, before getting to the task of packing up. Even though he hadn't said anything, the idea of getting out of the base and home was a welcome one.

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Tifa looked out of the plane's window, seeing the expanse of the ocean below them. Charlotte was asleep in the seat behind hers, leaving she and Cid in silence. Eventually, she turned her eyes from the outside over to the pilot.

Cid felt her eyes upon him and spoke up. "What's on your mind?"

Tifa shrugged weakly. "Well…we've been in this plane for well over two hours so far, and we haven't said more than a dozen words to each other. It didn't use to be like that when we were alone."

He huffed, knowing that she wanted them to talk about 'feelings' again and after all that had happened, Cid felt that it just wasn't his place. "I'm all right, Tif."

"But are we all right?" She asked.

"Damn it." Cid flipped on the autopilot and undid his seat belt, so that he could turn to face her. "Look, Tifa, we're fine, all right? But you gotta remember how we got into the mess that we got into in the first place. It was talkin' too much and gettin' too involved with each other like that. I mean, we just can't do that sorta shit anymore."

Tifa almost felt tears in her eyes at the thought that he was intentionally going to keep her at a distance from now on. Although she knew that she had relied upon him too much before because of Vincent's inability to be there for her, she still felt like their friendship had changed. "Yeah, okay."

He crossed his arms over his chest and frowned. "I'm not tryin' to piss you off or hurt your feelings, Tif. That's just the way it is."

"I know." She turned in her seat to look out the window once more.

"Look…" Cid swallowed hard, trying to think of what to say that wouldn't come off wrong. "I still love you, you know that. I always will. I'll always be here for you when you need me, but we've got to watch how we…deal with each other from now on. If it's a choice between us staying a little more…superficial or doing something that will make Sue forbid us from bein' friends at all, I'll go with option one. We don't wanna give Sunshine any reason to fuckin' kill me now, right?"

She couldn't help but laugh a little at that. "No, of course not."

"So…if you want to talk, then let's talk, just not about…us and what happened anymore, all right?" Cid faced forward in his seat again.

Tifa looked over at him, grateful in a way. "Okay. So…how's L.C. been doing? I mean, I know you haven't seen him since getting to the base, but how was he with you and Jin getting married?"

Cid looked thoughtful for a moment. "He's happy about it. The kid loves her. I mean, she's basically been his mom since he was just shy of a year old. When she and I split up for all those months, he was really upset about things. I think what it boils down to is that he's relieved. Like he feels he's got a little security in his life, now. 'Course, what sucks is that Jin and I have been here for a while, leavin' the poor kid back in Rocket. It's gonna just be nice to get home and have things settle into…somethin' like normal. Jin's gonna be around, since she's quittin' ASRIO." He looked over at her. "Basically, it's just gonna be…good."

Tifa offered him a smile. "I'm really glad to hear that."

"Yeah." Cid narrowed his eyes and looked out at the clouds passing by. "And after Aaron gets his injection and you all go home, what do you think it'll be like?"

"Well, Vincent really is committed to this starting over thing." She smiled to herself. "Chaos was influencing him a lot in the back of his mind, driving him to do the things he did. That's gone now, so…"

"So, you think things'll be better?" Cid finished for her.

"Yeah, I really do. Plus, having Charlotte in his arms seemed to touch something within him. He's determined to keep our family together, no matter what," Tifa said, happiness in her voice.

"Well, he better prove to be one hell of a dad to her, or I'll…" Cid thought better of finishing that statement. Whether he wanted to admit it or not, he was still awfully attached to the baby girl in the plane with them.

Tifa easily picked up on something in his voice. "Cid?"

"I fell in love with that baby, that's all. Sorta happens when you think it's yours, I guess." He slumped in his seat a little. "Things are workin' out for the best, though, and I know it."

Knowing that any further pressing of the issue would take them right into the sort of discussion that Cid dearly wished to avoid, Tifa let it go. "Things are going to be all right."

"Yeah." Cid nodded to himself. "Yeah…"

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Jaras was sitting behind the counter in his bookstore, Aaron dutifully at his side, flipping through a book he'd pulled off the shelf.

When the phone rang, Aaron, wanting to help out his elder brother, answered. "Mideel Books, this is Aaron. How can I help you?"

Vincent smiled to himself as he paced before the helicopter. He was waiting with Rude and Reno for Brad to show up, and decided that it might be worth while to give Jaras the heads up that Tifa and Cid were coming for Aaron. "Aaron? He's got you answering the phone now?"

The boy smiled to hear his father's voice. "Yup, Jaras let's me do things here in the store."

"I see. Aaron, I was calling to let you know that your mother is coming to pick you up." Vincent stopped walking and simply sat on the ground.

"Oh, she is?" Aaron leaned against the counter, and looked over at his brother.

"Yes, the reason being is that they've found a way to get the demons out of us once and for all. I've already been cured." He couldn't help but smile.

"Really?" Aaron was more than a little excited to hear this.

"Really."

"When's she going to be here?" Aaron asked.

"She's already on her way. Cid's flying her so, she'll be there by tonight." Vincent braced for the boy's inevitable reaction.

"Cid's flying her here and you're not coming along?" He scowled, and it was reflected in his voice.

"He is, but the only reason that I didn't come along was because I have to make sure that the house is safe, since Shinra had been in there at some point." He honestly didn't want his son to get upset.

"But things with you and Mom…they're all right?" Aaron asked.

"They are better than all right. Your mother and I are going to be fine. After she picks you up, you'll go to the ASRIO base and get your treatment. Once that's done, you, your mother, and Charlotte are coming home, where I'll already be. We'll all be together and things will be better, understand?" Vincent wished that he could say this to his son in person.

"Okay." The boy smiled. "Wanna talk to Jaras?"

"Yes."

"Okay, bye." Aaron passed the phone to his brother.

Jaras took the reciever, already having figured out who was calling. "Dad?"

"Jaras. I was just calling to let you know that Tifa is on her way to pick up Aaron. They have the cure for the demon." Vincent's smile returned.

"Oh, that's great." He looked over at his younger sibling. "That's really great."

"It is." Vincent saw Brad approaching in the distance and got up. "Anyway, she'll be there by tonight."

"Good, I'll be expecting her, then."

"I have to go. I'll talk to you later." Vincent prepared to hang up. "And don't violate any child labor laws."

"All right," Jaras said with a laugh in his voice. "Bye."

"Bye." With that, Vincent closed his phone and slipped it back into his pocket.

"Vinny!" Reno already had the door on the side of the chopper pulled open. "Let's get in so we can get this show on the road once Brad gets his lazy ass over here."

Vincent shook his head and sighed, before complying with Reno's request. He landed in the seats on one side of the helicopter, while Reno and Rude sat next to one another on the other. He could instantly appreciate that Reno was even cockier than usual now that Rude was at his side to dig his butt out of whatever trouble he got himself into.

"What you staring at?" Reno shot over at Vincent, as Brad climbed in.

"Nothing much," Vincent replied. "I was wondering how Angel is coping with having a third person in your relationship now."

Reno's eye went wide and he looked over at Rude incredulously, before turning back to Vincent. "Hey man, you know what? Fuck you."

"I'm just saying you and Rude have been spending a lot of time with one another since he arrived." Vincent was inwardly pleased with Reno's reaction, although his face betrayed nothing.

Rude's only response to this was to push his ever-present sunglasses higher upon his nose.

"Feel free to jump in and defend yourself at any time, Rude," Reno growled under his breath as the engine was finally fired up. "You suck, Vinny."

"You can dish it out, but God forbid you should have to take it back." Vincent crossed his arms over his chest, not able to keep the smile from coming to his lips.

"Rude and me are just close. We were Turks together for God knows how long and…" Reno stopped himself, realizing that he was only going to add fuel to the fire if he said anything further. He opted to take Vincent's usual method of action and looked away, instantly falling silent.

Vincent simply broke down and laughed. Sometimes, it was just too easy.

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That evening, Cid landed the plane on the outskirts of Mideel. He remained in the pilot's seat with his arms crossed over his chest, waiting for Tifa to nurse Charlotte before they headed toward Jaras' house.

"How much longer? My ass is asleep," Cid grumbled, just wanting to get up and move around.

Tifa was already buttoning up her blouse. "The baby's taken care of, you can get up now."

"It's about fuckin' time." Cid got up and passed her, throwing open the door on the side of the plane and hopping out.

Tifa held the baby in her right arm, and grabbed the diaper bag with her other, before following the pilot. "Gosh, the weather here is always so nice."

Cid claimed the diaper bag from her and slung it over his shoulder. "Yeah, whatever. It still stinks here, too. Let's go get to Jaras'. I'm fuckin' starved."

Knowing that Cid tended to think with his stomach, Tifa opted not to argue and went along with him in silence as they walked the short distance to the house Jaras and Jeanine shared.

They got there and knocked on the door. Aaron answered and threw his arms around his mother. Tifa smiled and kissed him on the top of the head, then showing him his sister for a moment.

A short time later, Jaras showed up in the doorway. "Hey."

"Hi, Jaras." Tifa offered him a broad smile.

Cid simply nodded slightly in acknowledgement. He just wanted some food.

Jaras seemed to pick up on this. "Come on in. Jeanine just made dinner."

"Thank God." Cid pushed past the other man and dropped the diaper bag on his way to the dinning room.

Tifa sighed and shook her head as she followed Jaras and Aaron into the house. "So, was Aaron good?"

Jaras looked back over his shoulder and nodded. "He's always good when he's here."

In fact, Tifa couldn't remember one time when Jaras had possessed any complaint about her son's behavior. "Good to know."

They ended up in the dinning room, to find Jeanine sitting at the table with Cid, who was already helping himself to what was prepared. Tifa made it a point to sit next to her son and away from the pilot.

They ate in silence for a time, until Jeanine spoke up. "So, I assume that you will be spending the night and going back tomorrow?"

"Yup," Cid replied simply. He was not in the mood to get back into the plane tonight.

"I guess so." Tifa offered a smile.

Jeanine looked thoughtful. "Well, Tifa, you can stay in the guest room with Aaron and the baby. Cid, you can have the couch. It folds out."

"Fine." Cid didn't look up from his plate. He didn't care where he was going to sleep. For all he cared, he could end up on the floor. The truth was that he was so tired he knew he'd be able to sleep anywhere.

Tifa passed the baby over to Jeanine and then got up from the table. She went into the bathroom to take care of things. As she washed her hands, she couldn't help but notice that the bathroom mirror was completely covered in newspaper. When she got back out to the family room where everyone had migrated, she asked, "Are you going to paint the bathroom soon? I noticed you had the mirror covered up."

Jaras suddenly looked a little embarrassed. He knew that he could trust Tifa with the truth and got up. "Come on, I need to talk to you."

Tifa looked and saw that at some point, Cid had claimed Charlotte from Jeanine and was holding the baby on the couch. Seeing that her daughter was in good hands, and that Aaron was planted on the floor playing his video game, Tifa knew that it was safe to go with Jaras.

He led her out of the house and to the swing that was on the porch. Tifa sat with him.

Jaras took a deep breath and then looked in her eyes. "The reason that the mirror in the bathroom is covered up, is because…I've been having some hallucinations when I've looked into mirrors lately."

"Oh my God, Jaras, are you all right?" Tifa asked, moving closer to him and honestly concerned. She remembered his mental instabilities and woes from seven years back and dreaded what it could mean.

"I don't…I don't honestly know. I feel like I did when I started to go insane from the Jenova in me ages ago, but…according to the test that Brandon ran the other day, there's no Jenova in me anymore." He hung his head as the misery of it all crushed in on him.

Tifa's stomach knotted to hear this and she draped an arm around his shoulders. "Oh Jaras, I'm sorry. Do they have any idea what's causing it?"

"They can't find a medical reason. I'm sure Jeanine probably has a few ideas in mind, being in psychiatry and all, but…I've not dared to ask. I don't want to think that I'm really losing my mind." Jaras leaned forward until he had his elbows resting on his knees. "I'm scared, though Tifa. I'll admit that."

She rubbed his back and felt a sting in her eyes. This news would just kill Vincent when she told him. "I don't know what to say. I just hope you're going to be all right."

"Me, too." Jaras rubbed his eyes, pushing back the tears. "I can't lose my mind now. I've got my life back, I've got a baby on the way…I've got a little brother that looks up to me… I don't know what to do, Tifa."

She leaned over and rested against his back, wanting to shield him from all the terrible things in the world that seemed determined to tear him apart. Tifa had come to love Jaras over the years and knew that he was truly important to Aaron. If Jaras did end up losing his mind, she knew that it would deeply hurt her son. They remained in silence on the porch for some time as Jaras shed a few tears with her.

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Vincent walked into his house, followed by Rude, Reno, and Brad. The other three men would spend the night and go back to the base the following day.

They walked through the house while Vincent pointed out to Rude and Reno where he'd found bugs and cameras in the house. Once the tour was complete, Rude crossed his arms over his chest and looked thoughtful.

"So, I'm fairly confident that I got them all," Vincent said, feeling his exhaustion press in on him.

"You did good," Rude replied, "but you never said you looked in the space around the water heater in the hall."

Vincent quirked an eyebrow. Rude had him there. He'd never bothered to look in the compartment where the water heater resided. "Oh… I guess I forgot about that."

Rude shook his head and went back down the hall. He pulled open the door to the water heater closet and got on his hands and knees. In the vent grate on the bottom half of the door, he ran his fingers along the metal, encountering something between two of the slats. After a moment of struggle, he pulled forth a tiny listening device.

Vincent inwardly kicked himself for having missed this bug. "Damn."

Rude considered the item for a moment, before crushing it in his fist. "There, the place should be clean now."

"Thanks." Vincent pointed at the guestroom. "Someone can stay in there, Brad's already claimed the couch, and…I guess one of you can stay in Aaron's room.

"Guestroom!" Reno screeched and ran to the door, opening it and vanishing inside. He had absolutely no intention of staying in some kid's room.

Rude huffed and pulled off his sunglasses before stowing them in his coat pocket. "Please tell me he doesn't have some tiny little kid bed."

"It's a full." Vincent smiled.

"That will do." Rude went into Aaron's room and closed the door.

Vincent found himself alone and decided that he wanted a cup of tea before turning in. He went into the kitchen and made his beverage and then sat at the kitchen table with it. The center of the table was covered in mail as apparently Tifa had asked someone to bring it in during their absence.

He began to pick through the pile, sorting out the bills from the junk. When he came across something from the hospital lab, Vincent knit his brow and opted to open it.

Inside was a lab report form.

Paternity Test Results:

According to the samples submitted from one Cid A. Highwind Jr., and Charlotte Cidelle Vatasi, the following is reported:

The DNA samples are not a match. The chances of Mr. Highwind being the father of Baby Vatatsi are less than 1 in three billion.

Vincent collapsed back in his chair and stared up at the ceiling. Having this concrete evidence that Charlotte was actually his daughter was just what he needed. He closed his eyes and thanked the powers that be prior to finishing his tea and heading to his bedroom.

Once inside, he looked in the closet and saw the case his Death Penalty was held in and pulled it from the shelf. His fingers made out the combination on the lock quickly and he opened it, seeing his gun safely inside. Thusly reassured, he put the case back in the closet and stripped before turning in for the night.

Things seemed to be on the right track.

A/N-- Brace yourselves, my lovelies. It's going to be a rough landing…
I love you all.