Chapter 3

Vincent paused while holding a cup in his hand. A woman stood at the end of the hallway looking out one of the large windows that gazed on the surrounding urban structures. He glanced at his watch and found it was long after most everyone had either gone home our out and catch some dinner before returning to continue their work.

As he came closer, he found it was a one of the lab workers, dressed in a white lab coat. Long, brown hair was tied back with a dark red clasp. Short bangs hung just about her curved, smooth eyebrows and framed her face as they hung in a loose curl along the front of her ears on each side.

Vincent came to a stop in front of the window next to the woman. He took a sip from the cup while looking out on the night-lights of the city. Vincent took the opportunity to look at her reflection, but not looking at her directly.

"I thought the labs were closed at this time of night." Vincent mentioned casually as he took another drink.

" I didn't realize that people were still around." She reached into one of her lab coat pockets and stole a glance at a watch. "It's either janitors or nightshift workers that are about at this time of night."

"I suppose that makes me a janitor, then." Vincent kept his eyes on the dark sky.

She studied his face. "Don't I know you from somewhere?" Her blue eyes then wide briefly, "Oh, you're Bob. You are certainly one of the better-dressed ones I have seen around. You must be good at taking out the trash." She commented.

Vincent paused before responding. "You learn to keep it off your shirt."

She sighed. "It is nearly impossible to get anything out of a white shirt." She added casually.

He glanced over at her briefly before returning his attention to the cityscape. For a brief moment he smirked at her comment.

The woman shifted on her feet and shoved her hands into the pockets. "My DNA analysis should be ready shortly." She mumbled. Despite her initial eagerness to leave, she remained standing before the window.

Vincent finished his drink without giving any response. The lab worker glanced over and found she was not the only one appearing to be a little disheveled. He lacked the custom jacket, his sleeves were rolled up and his tie was loosened around his neck.

"You probably should check your DNA samples." He offered turning away while he tossed his empty cup into a garbage can.

She only nodded. Turning, she made her way back toward the small grouping of labs. "Perhaps I will see you around… stranger."

"Perhaps."

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Walking off the elevator, Vincent wandered down the large hallway toward his supervisor's office. After being woken from a sound sleep, he was only told he would be receiving a new assignment. Opening the door, the Turk stepped into the office.

"Ah, Mr. Valentine, if I hadn't known better, I would think you just rolled out of bed." Marcus commented upon seeing his entrance into the office. Vincent's brows furled in confusion.

"Sir?"

Marcus grinned and chuckled. He never quite understood why Vincent wore the jaw length, tattered unconventional hair. One would think having hair hanging that much in his eyes would be bothersome, but it seemed it did not bother the Turk. Marcus could only guess such a hairstyle was for attaining some certain image.

"Please have a seat." He gestured for Vincent to sit down in one of the seats that sat infront of the large, walnut desk. Even thought his temples were speckled with gray against his short brown hair, Marcus still commanded attention by his presence and gaze.

Vincent sat down and removed his dark shades and folding them into the breast pocket of his blue suit jacket. "How was your visit, sir?"

Marcus grimaced. "It would have been great had not my ex and her husband hadn't been there. She made damn sure to give me hell for showing my mug."

"But were you not invited by your daughter?" Vincent inquired.

Marcus took another drink. "Apparently without telling her mother."

Vincent raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah, my thoughts exactly, but it was all worth it."

Vincent remained silent.

Marcus picked up his mug of coffee. His jacket was draped over the back of his chair, exposing his crisp white shirt, dark suspenders and tie.

"Is there something you wish to share, sir?"

Marcus smirked behind his mug

" That is what I always liked about you, Vincent. You can observe the smallest of details and discern what move to take next." Marcus gestured with his mug before taking a brief drink.

"I'm flattered." Vincent said in a flat voice. He could not help but wonder if that was an attempt at buttering him for something.

Marcus set his mug down. "Shin-ra has sent me notice that they want you to serve on a new project." Marcus stood up and came around to the front of the desk. "It will be quite lengthy, between nine to twelve months."

The gunman placed his hands on his knees. 'Damn, I was hoping to request some vacation time to the Coast.' Vincent thought sarcastically.

Marcus looked at Vincent. "Your orders are to accompany Dr. Hojo and Professor Gast's assistant, Dr. Lucrecia Honestas. They will be heading the Jenova Project."

Vincent raised an eyebrow questioning the assignment. "Jenova Project? What do a pair of scientists need with someone of my caliber?"

Marcus held up a finger. "Shin-ra wants to make sure the interests of the company are not compromised in any way. Dr. Hojo will be more your focus. He tends to have a habit of put his hands where they don't belong. Professor Gast is heading the project and should remain as such."

"Guard-duty, sir?"

Marcus looked at him as he rose from his desk chair. "The reason I suggested your name is that I can trust you to finish the job when it goes bad. You will make regular reports to me about the events taking place in Nibelheim." He then crossed his arm and walked past Vincent to the office doors. "Come, they are waiting for our arrival."

Marcus led them into a small boardroom with a oval conference table in the middle and several overstuffed chairs. Vincent found a man and woman seated at the table, with two empty chairs separating them. Upon their arrival, the man stood up and scowled at Marcus. His short, black hair hung stiffly above his eyes while a pair of thin glasses sat low on his narrow nose. Hojo pushed his glasses up in irritation.

"It's about time, can we move on? You are wasting my time."

Marcus frowned. "That would be Dr. Hojo."

The brown haired woman turned around and looked at Marcus first and then let her blue eyes glide over and fell on Vincent. He quickly recognized her from the other night in the hallway. Marcus looked at both of them.

"Have you two already met by chance? Dr. Honestas, this is Mr. Valentine. He will be coming along for observation."

Lucrecia blinked and nodded her head. "It would be a pleasure, Mr. Valentine. You presence is greatly welcomed."

Vincent only nodded remaining quiet. Hojo heaved an aggravated sigh and marched toward the doors. "Are we done here? There is equipment that needs to be loaded and moved. Heaven forbid that I have some dumb clown drop anything along the way."

The scientist stormed out with little regard to what Marcus attempted to say. Lucrecia came to her feet.

"You will have to forgive him, Mr. Brenner. He tends to get a little short tempered. It is good to meet both of you." She looked over the two Turks. "If you excuse me, I need to finish packing before we depart." She walked passed Marcus and paused briefly behind Vincent.

"See you around, stranger." She mentioned casually as she left the room. He watched her briefly from the corner his sight without turning his head.

Marcus smirked. "Stranger, huh?"

Vincent frowned and looked at Marcus. The Turk supervisor straightened his face in response. Vincent left the room with Marcus in tow. 'Gees, if that is Dr. Hojo…' He thought briefly.

"Dr. Hojo mentioned moving. Is this project not taking place in Shin-ra labs?" Vincent finally asked as they walked down the hallway. Marcus slipped his hands into his pockets.

"The Jenova project will be located in Nibelheim. You and the scientists will be stationed there until the research is completed."

Vincent nodded in silence.

Marcus paused crossing his arms casually his attention seemed slightly diverted. "I cannot think of any man who would not mind being locked in a large house with her." His blue eyes lingering down the hallway where Lucrecia stood talking with a lab attendant, directing them where to carrying boxes.

Vincent raised a brow. "Sir?"

Marcus cleared his throat. "I know a pretty woman when I see one." He reached into his pocket and pulled out pager and frowned. "Look, I have a meeting I need to attend. I would advise you finish any personal business here in Midgar. The 'copter will be leaving the morning."

Marcus turned away down into a corridor where several other Turks. Pushing back his shirt cuff, Vincent glanced at his watch and made his way toward the elevator.