Chapter Fourteen

An Old Fire Rekindled

Rocket town wouldn't going to sleep for a long time after midnight with the gang throwing a party and Aeris was the first to notice it.

"It's getting late, we should settle down…"

"Nonsense, the night is young! Don't worry about them Aeris, they don't mind." Cid waved his glass at her and she sighed. Sephiroth wrapped his arm around her and handed her a drink.

"Listen to him, just enjoy yourself tonight."

She took the glass and nodded, they toasted and he kissed her forehead lightly. Tifa came in with another round of drinks and the guys cheered.

"Yea, keep bringin' em babies!" Reno hiccuped and grinned as he took two glasses. Yuffie put her face in her hands when he downed both of them; he looked at her and said, "What?" Rude grinned as he too took two glasses and gave one to Elena. Vincent took one and drank it slowly, enjoying the warmth it provided his body.

He looked around the room and seen Jessi by herself, standing next to the door. She shook her head when Tifa offered her the beverage and Vincent knew how she felt. They did not have to eat, sleep or drink, but they still could. Vincent rarely ever ate, but he never passed up Tifa's drinks when they were offered. And as for sleeping, he didn't do much of that either, he always had nightmares about his past.

Jessi felt out of place with so many people she did not know that well around her and she wondered if Sephiroth had similar feelings. But he was sitting in a chair with Aeris on his lap, talking quietly to her. She looked around the room and noticed for the first time that many of them were together. Tifa with Cloud, Yuffie, it seemed, with Reno, it looked like only Nanaki and herself had no one to be with. Now that would be an odd match, she thought and laughed to herself. She felt like someone was watching her so she looked around and noticed Vincent was. He was studying her intently and she wondered why and what he was thinking about.

"Are you enjoying yourself Jessi?"

Jessi turned and looked down at Nanaki. He sat on his haunches and she smiled at him, thinking of her little joke.

"Yes, but I could use some fresh air."

Nanaki nodded. "Go ahead outside then, it's allright."

She smiled and excused herself before walking out the door. Vincent stood up and told Cloud he would be back. Cloud had seen Jessi leave and he nodded. Vincent stepped outside and looked around. He was alarmed when he could not find Jessi; did she leave? He looked up and seen her jumping to the top of the Highwind...she is so nimble he thought as he walked up to the ladder and began to climb it. Jessi closed her eyes and inhaled the night air. There was a full moon out tonight, but some clouds passed over it and blocked the light it was giving.

"Trying to escape?"

Jessi turned and seen Vincent's outline. His eyes were illuminated and Jessi was sure hers were the same way.

"Hardly. Just needed some air."

The moon overcame the clouds and shone down on them. Vincent walked up next to her and they sat down.

"It's amazing how similar we are now. Isn't it?"

Vincent nodded, "Both cursed and stripped of living a normal life."

"And both soulless monsters." Jessi said angrily.

"No… you're wrong about that."

Jessi looked at him confused. "How so?"

"Hojo may have killed me and put you to sleep, but he did not strip us of our souls. It's impossible."

Jessi thought about that as he continued.

"You can't take away somebody's soul or feelings; you can change them, but not take away."

"I guess your right. I just didn't think I felt emotions anymore for the longest time."

Vincent nodded, "I was the same way."

Jessi looked at him. "But when I seen you today, I felt relieved and happy."

"Was that relief and happiness there before or after we fought?"

Jessi smiled. "Before at first, then after I suppose."

"Ah." Vincent said with a grin, then he looked at her seriously.

"While you were looking for me, did you ever come across Sean?"

A saddened look passed her face and Vincent kicked himself as she looked down.

"The last time I ever talked to him was the day before he went crazy. I don't even know if he is dead or alive. I didn't find him in the Midgar Asylum; the place was destroyed…I was afraid of finding him after that, so I never really looked."

"…I am sorry for asking."

"It's no problem, really. He wouldn't remember me if he seen me now anyway, so it doesn't matter."

They were silent for a while and noticed the party sounded like it was dying down… a little.

"Well, it's about time…."

Vincent chuckled, "Yes, perhaps the town will be able to sleep now."

"Perhaps." Jessi said with a nod.

When all the lights went out in the house, and everything grew quiet Jessi sighed.

"What a relief, quiet at last." Jessi turned to Vincent and smiled. "Well…"

"Well what?"

"What shall we do now? It's not that late, lets do something fun."

"Like what?"

Her eyes flashed and she opened her mouth when Vincent raised an eyebrow. "I don't think so."

She looked at him blankly for a moment then she scowled at him.

"I didn't mean that Vincent! Honestly, men are so retarded!"

Vincent laughed and she smiled. "I've missed that."

"What?"

"Your laughter, I used to love hearing you laugh."

"Really?"

Jessi nodded. "It always made me smile when I heard you."

"Hm… now I know what to do if I ever make you angry."

" It wouldn't work; besides, if you pissed me off, I would just kick your ass."

Vincent smirked. "With example of today's battle, I would be kicking your ass."

"Pfft, not if you couldn't catch me."

"I would."

"Prove it."

She leaped up and jumped backwards off the Highwind. Vincent stood up and waited till she flew up as the Harpy beast. He shook his head.

"So predictable… well, you'll be sorry."

"Blah, blah, blah. Less talking more flying." She teased.

He transformed as well and flew up into the air. She smirked and took off. She flapped her wings quickly and turned to see where Vincent was. He was so far behind and she teased him again.

"What's the matter Vinney? Age catchin' up to ya?"

She laughed again as he growled and almost caught up to her. She just pumped her wings harder and soared high into the air, above the clouds. She waited quietly for him and when he stopped below her, she dropped down and hit him on the head. She laughed and took off again as he agitatedly chased after her.

"Don't be so upset that I'm faster than you!"

She turned to see where he was and was confused when he wasn't behind her.

"Don't be so sure that you are."

She looked up as he tackled her and sent her plummeting to the ground. She landed on her feet and looked back up. He descended down and smirked at her.
"…I caught you."

"Okay, you may be faster in air…"

She transformed back and so did he.

"But I know I'm faster on ground."

She took off and Vincent just shook his head again.

"Kids never learn."

He began to walk in the direction she headed. Jessi stopped near the edge of a small hill and looked back. She grinned and looked down at the drop off.

"Humph, he can't even keep up with me on foot."

"Again, don't be so sure."

Jessi turned as Vincent tackled her to the ground, causing them to fall down the slope. They rolled down it, wrestling the whole way. They stopped at the bottom and Vincent pinned Jessi down.

"I caught you again."

Jessi started laughing, "OK, I admit defeat, you are faster."

He smirked, "…Don't forget it."

She laughed again as she looked up at him.

"You mind letting me get up now?"

"In a moment, I am still enjoying my victory."

"Don't make me go Harpy on you."

"Chaos will just take her down again."

Jessi grinned, "Yea, OK, I let you win."

"Oh, don't be a sore loser now."

Jessi pushed him off, "Get over yourself."

Vincent smiled as she stood up and brushed herself off.

"We should get back now, it's going to get light out soon."

She walked away when he joined her side and clasped her hand. She stopped and looked at him.

"What's the rush?" He said quietly.

He turned her to him so they were facing one another and she looked up, questioningly.

"We haven't seen each other in years, time is on our side so why rush back?"

Jessi shrugged. "I didn't know you felt that way."

"Well, I do."

Jessica's eyes widened as he wrapped his arms around her.

"I remember when Cloud and the others woke me up, I wanted to be left alone and atone for the sins I had committed."

"What do you mean?" She asked quietly

"I did not stop Hojo and save Lucrecia, I let him go on ruining lives."

"That wasn't your fault Vincent…"

He shook his head. "Yes it was, you wanted to stop him and I wouldn't let you."

"Vincent, it was too late by then anyway."

"I know that, but I should have tried to bring him down sooner."

He looked down at her.

"And now I see that he has given you inner demons to suffer with as well."

"Well, Harpy is my only monster form, but I have grown used to her."

"Yes, I suppose they have their advantages."

Jessi nodded, "I never could fight before, now I'm awesome at kicking ass, at least, that's what Sephiroth told me the very first time I transformed."

Vincent chuckled and she smiled.

"I did wonder about you when they woke me up, Jessi."

She looked at him surprised again and he continued.

"When I realized who you were, I was shocked, but elated. I never thought I would see you again and I wondered how different your life would be after all these years."

"Yea, we're pretty old."

"Yes, we are, but it will never show. I will forever look as I did when I was twenty-three."

Jessi nodded and smirked. "And I'm an older woman in a teenager's body."

"Yes, you're an old lady."

"Oh Yea?" She smiled. "At least I ain't over the hill!"

"Wh… I'm not fifty yet!"

"Keyword: 'Yet'."

She laughed as Vincent tackled her to the ground and they wrestled again. Jessi came out on top and struggled to keep him down.

"Oh looks like the tables have turned Vinney!"

Vincent grabbed her arms and flipped her over him.

"H-hey! Ow!"

She rubbed her head and he looked down at her. He offered his hand and she smacked it away when she sat up.

"That wasn't very nice! I have a rock stuck in my head now."

He sat on the edge of his heels and smirked at her.

"Wah."

She pushed his chest and he fell back on the ground.

"Quit being such an ass Vinney!"

He smiled at her, "I will when you stop calling me that."

Jessi smirked and shook her head. "No way. Besides, you know you love the nickname I dubbed you."

"Think what you wish."

Jessi looked at the sky and seen it was getting even lighter. Vincent noticed it too as he stood up.

"Yes, we should be heading back."

He offered his hand and this time she took it. He pulled her up and she smiled at him.

"Let's go then."

They transformed and flew back to rocket town. They entered Cid's house quietly and looked around. Everyone was sleeping soundly and there wasn't an inch of the house that wasn't occupied. Tifa and Cloud were on the couch with Aeris and Sephiroth in a chair next to them. Cid and Shera were in their room and Elena was fast asleep in Rude's arms on one end of the second couch; Yuffie, stretched out on the other end with Reno lying cozily next to her. Nanaki was lying by the door and he woke up when they came in.

"Sorry Red, didn't mean to wake you." Vincent said apologetically.

Nanaki nodded and with a great yawn he lay his head back down and went back to sleep.

"Well, I guess the Highwind is the only vacant place to sleep." Jessi said.

"You mean you actually rest?"

Jessi nodded, "Why? Can't you?"

"No, I only have nightmares that remind me of the actual nightmare I am living in."

"I'm sorry, sleep is where I find my peace; there I have my sister and everyone I know and love."

"…Me included?" Vincent asked as they boarded the ship.

"Sometimes."

"You are fortunate to have that privilege, to slumber I mean." He added when he seen the skeptical look on her face.

They went to Vincent's normal spot and he sat down. She was looking around.

"It's so big, how many people can fit in here?"

Vincent leaned back against the cool metal wall and shrugged.

"I haven't the slightest idea. Cid would just enhance it if it didn't meet his standards."

She laughed and her voice echoed in the large ship. She jumped and he grinned. She stood in front of him and sighed.

"I suppose you're not tired."

He shook his head, "Not especially, but all that fighting and wrestling made me a little tired."

"That's because you're old; me, I have lots of energy and endurance."

"…Right."

She kneeled in front of him and her smile grew wider.

"I know I'm right, I'm always right."

"All but the times that you are wrong."

She stopped smiling and looked away sadly.

"Sean… used to always say something like that."

Vincent set his hand on her arm and she looked at him, her eyes slightly misted.

"He would always say 'Yea you're always right, except for when you're wrong."

He leaned forward and held her and she shuddered. He squeezed her comfortingly while she lay her forehead on his shoulder and clenched his cape in her fist.

"I… I don't even know what happened to him Vincent, I don't even know if he survived the virus or if he is dead."

Vincent stroked the back of her head and she closed her eyes, smiling sadly.

"After I read about him in Hojo's journal, I figured he would at least be fine in the hands of a hospital, even if he was insane."

He nodded and she pulled away from him so she could look at him then continued.

"But I heard rumors Vincent, I heard that he had escaped and destroyed the asylum…and no one knew where he was. He could have died or hurt people."

"If there is something we learned on our quest to stop Sephiroth, it was that Jenova has great power and is difficult to destroy. She can live for years and she takes control over people's minds easily."

Jessi shuddered involuntarily…mind raping she thought. Just the thought of having someone inside your head reading all of your personal thoughts and memories then using them against you freaked her out.

"Is why Sephiroth went insane?"

"Precisely."

Jessi looked worried. "So then the good news is he could be alive…"

Vincent nodded and she looked at him sadly.

"But the bad news is he could have killed many already and…"

Vincent held his hand up and she looked at him.

"Just don't think about it, it will only drive you mad. Believe me, I know."

She looked away and he cupped her chin in his hand. She closed her eyes and placed her hand over his.

"Look at what you have now, not what you lost then." He said softly

She opened her eyes and looked into his.

"…Vincent."

She seen her reflection in his eyes and sighed.

"…You're right…thank you."

He pulled her back to him and held her reassuringly.

"Anytime."

She lay in his arms for the longest time, not saying anything when she felt his breathing slow and his hold on her lessen just a bit.

"Vincent?"

She looked at him and noticed he had fallen asleep. She lay her head back on his shoulder and slowly drifted to sleep. As she waited for her dreams to come, she wondered if her friend was having dreams, or nightmares.