Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy VII.

Note: Once again, thanks to all of my wonderful reviewers!

Second Note: I updated this story on September 28, 2005. My birthday is on September 29, 2005. So, if I could get a couple more reviews than normal, I'd be a very happy author! Thank yas.

Third Note: Fluffy chapter ahead!

Chapter 13: Forgiveness

Soon, the sun sank below the horizon and the only lights that shone onto the plains Vincent and Tifa were crossing was the light of the stars, the moon, and Meteor. Because of Meteor the lighting was a bit brighter than it usually was at night, but not by too much.

"Should we stop to rest now?" Tifa asked, yawning. Truthfully, she was silently begging to stop. She'd been walking with her head down and feet dragging for the past couple of hours, exhausted.

Vincent nodded. "That would probably be a good idea," he said in his usual indifferent tone of voice.

"So where are we going to sleep?" Tifa asked, yawning again.

"In tents, if you don't mind," Vincent replied, digging through his belongings until he found what he was looking for.

"Are we going to sleep in different ones, or…?" Tifa bit her lip when she asked. Truthfully, though, she didn't mind either way. She was starting to forgive him.

"I brought two. However one seems to have a rather large hole in the side. I will sleep in that one, then," said the red-eyed man.

"But then wouldn't that take out the point of even using a tent? We could share one…I guess…" Tifa murmured. "I mean we shared a bed once before so this can't be much different, right?"

"I suppose you have a point there," said Vincent, discarding the torn tent, "but since you are a woman I should give you your privacy. I would not mind sleeping outside, if it meant giving you your needed space."

The wine-eyed girl frowned. "That wouldn't be comfortable for you, though, would it?"

"I have managed before, so I can manage again."

"Vincent…" Tifa sighed and shook her head. "I don't forgive you all the way yet, but you're respectful enough that I wouldn't mind if you had to share a tent with me."

The ex-Turk sighed, giving in. "Alright. I'll try to control myself, then."

"Hey, you've been doing pretty good so far…"

Tifa sat down as Vincent sat up the tent, as he kept insisting he didn't need help. Within a couple of minutes, the tent, which was a plain tan in color, was set up.

"Ladies first," Vincent said, stepping away from the entrance of the tent so that Tifa could enter.

It was hard for the woman to find her way in the dark, but she managed anyway.

After she was comfortably sitting near the back of her tent, her bag of belongings sitting next to her, Vincent crawled in.

"There isn't much space," the red-eyed man observed, sitting cross-legged near the entrance of the tent. "That will not be a problem, though, will it?"

Tifa shook her head. "No…"

"Go ahead and make yourself comfortable," Vincent said gently.

The dark-haired woman yawned again, rubbing at her eyes. "I'm tired, but not the sort of tired where I could fall asleep just yet," she muttered.

Vincent nodded. "You may sleep when you're ready."

"You know," the wine-eyed girl said with a small smile, "we really don't have to be at opposite ends of the tent."

The ex-Turk hesitated for a moment, then moved next to Tifa.

"You know…" the woman started, and was silent for a moment. When the right words came to her mind, she said, "I forgive you."

Though Vincent's lips couldn't smile, his eyes were. Even in the dim light, she could see the expression perfectly displayed in his deep, bright crimson eyes.

Tifa took a deep breath before continuing. "I forgive you because I sort of, well…I dunno…I love you…"

It was a few minutes before either of them did anything. Tifa looked down and bit her lip and cursed at herself inwardly, thinking she'd completely messed up her chances with the man.

"…I…love you too, Tifa."

Tifa was surprised at these words. She gazed at the man, smiling softly as they neared each other. The dark-haired man gently pulled the woman towards him so that she was sitting in his lap, their arms twined around each other. Vincent's metal arm was wrapped firmly around her waist, his natural hand gently caressing her upper back as she listened to his heartbeat.

After a moment, Vincent softly cupped Tifa's chin with his natural hand and brought her lips to his. The kiss sent chills down both of their spines. It wasn't their first kiss, but it was just as good—no, better—than their first.

The red-eyed man gently nibbled the woman's lips, tenderly caressing her back as she wrapped her arms around his neck, sliding one hand through his hair. He was so teasing in this kiss; when he licked her lips and she attempted to return the gesture he pulled his tongue back. Tifa whimpered, her fingers practically digging into his shoulders.

Vincent stopped teasing and slid his tongue through his lover's lips, caressing her tongue gently. He let out a low, quiet moan when she kissed him back.

Finally, the couple ran out of breath and had to break away from each other. Tifa rested her head on her lover's chest, listening to his quiet, steady heartbeat.

"Tifa…?" Vincent asked timidly.

"Mmm?"

"I was wondering if—"

A quiet snore sounded, and, looking down he was slightly disappointed to find that Tifa was asleep. He sighed, reluctant to remove her from her position, but he did, gently lying her on her back. Digging through his own belongings, he couldn't find a blanket for her so he whisked off his cape and slid it over top of her so that it served as a blanket. Quietly, he lay down next to her.

"Goodnight," he whispered.

"Have you found anything yet?" Cloud asked. Deprived of sleep for twenty-four hours, he was grumpy, but refused to sleep. He wanted to find Tifa, and he wanted to find her soon.

Cid sighed and shook his head. "Nah. Nothin' yet but we're searchin' with all we got!"

Barret walked over to Cloud, shaking his head. "Look, Spike. We're all worried about her, okay? But you jes' need to get some damned sleep!"

Cloud was about to protest, but Yuffie, hyper as always, jumped out from…somewhere…and pushed him until he found himself in his Highwind bedroom. Sighing, the spiky-haired leader gave in and fell onto his bed, falling asleep immediately.

Yuffie trotted almost happily back to the engine room. She wasn't fully happy because both Cloud AND Red were using hair gel now. She wanted to braid someone's hair! Therefore, she wanted Tifa back.

"Shouldn't she be in the same place?" the young ninja whined.

"No," said Red. "Vincent isn't stupid. If he was there before, he won't stay there and risk being caught again."

Yuffie scowled and plopped onto the floor, picking at her shoes.

Yumesuta: Short chapter, but I promise the next one will be longer. Please review!