What the hell was going on here? Vincent wondered to himself... Aeris, and Sephiroth. His eyes registered confusion, more so when Aeris didn't recognize him. Surely there was a reason, some logical explanation... he couldn't possibly fathom what was going on. Vincent was a patient man, and a very intelligent one at that, so he willed himself to relax, and find out what was going on. The thing that frightened him the most was the way she kept looking at Sephiroth. The way she seemed more at ease with him while she failed to recognize Vincent...
"...Vincent?" Aeris shook her head, "I'm sorry... I don't remember you... except that you were the one who was at the window the other day..."
"Aeris?" He hesitantly took a step toward her. He could see she and Sephiroth immediately grow tense, "We traveled together... with everyone... Yuffie, Red, Tifa... Everyone!"
Aeris thought for a moment; a part of her screamed that she knew him, knew those names, and she willed herself to put them with the faces she had recognized in her memories. She was having a hard time. She looked helplessly at Sephiroth, who himself looked confused and tense, watching Vincent's every move. She stole another glance at Vincent. He was staring at her, his eyes trusting, willing her to give some indication that she knew him, remembered.
She shook her head almost sadly; for some reason upset with herself that she couldn't remember for the life of her what had happened before awakening in the church. "I'm sorry... my memory is so scattered, I can't put those names to faces..."
Vincent tilted his head curiously, and sighed. "I find that difficult to believe Aeris... you don't remember anything... you meant so much to all of us, and now you're alive again..."
So she had had friends before... Sandy had let both Sephiroth and Aeris know that they had died the first time she visited, but that didn't help her at the time. Her heart ached to remember, somehow feeling as if she owed it to herself and to Vincent, who appeared to be a complete stranger.
She looked to Vincent blankly. He sighed, then turned to Sephiroth. "We knew you before, as well."
Sephiroth didn't say anything, but nodded curtly. He looked suspicious and unsure. He hated feeling as if he had a lack of control.
"You can trust him, Sephiroth." Aeris began, "he says he was a friend of mine, and I believe him."
Sephiroth still looked unsure, but he didn't want to upset Aeris, so he turned to Vincent. He still hadn't mentioned how he knew Sephiroth... Aeris placed a comforting hand on Sephiroth's arm, and he immediately relaxed a little, his shoulders dropping ever so slightly. He looked down into her eyes, and she returned the gaze, assuring him it was all right.
After Long moments, Sephiroth finally relented. He took the silence as an opportunity to regain control of the situation. "I think it's too late to discuss this any further tonight... we should get some sleep, and you can tell us your story tomorrow, Mr. Valentine."
Vincent was completely shocked, to say the least. The way they were so at ease with each other was almost unnerving. They had been complete opposites, and the fact that Aeris held no fear for him although he was her murderer... It was bizarre. Vincent cleared his head and nodded to Sephiroth. Perhaps this was the chance he had been waiting for to repent his sins for Lucrecia.
"That's a wise idea... I can sleep here," Vincent motioned to the couch.
"Nonsense." Aeris began, inviting as usual, "We have a guest room. Sephiroth and I can share a room." She was confident, and she would never put a guest out... half of her mind chided that she had wanted to share a room with Sephiroth... but she convinced herself she was only trying to be a good hostess.
The initial look of shock and nervousness on Sephiroth's face wasn't lost on Vincent... was that blush he was seeing on the former war general's face?
Aeris tugged Vincent's arm, "Come upstairs, we'll have to find you some clothes to sleep in, you'll catch your death of cold in those soaking wet clothes."
Vincent allowed himself to be drug up the stairs by Aeris, as he smiled faintly to himself. She was back.
Shortly thereafter, Vincent was settled in the guestroom, feeling warm and dry, Aeris was setting his own clothes out to dry, and Sephiroth was waiting for Aeris. He had to admit, he was more than a little nervous. He wasn't sure how he was supposed to act.
Before he could lament any longer, Aeris opened the door to her room and peered inside. She yawned, looking a little flushed.
"Tired?" Sephiroth questioned. She nodded, smiling slightly.
"Sephiroth... there is another room, if you'd rather be alone." She felt guilty about not remembering and mentioning it sooner, "I think someone must have lived here with me, that was where she slept."
Though Sephiroth admitted to himself that he was slightly disappointed, he nodded.
"But Sephiroth..." She bit her lip, looking very shy.
"Yes?" He looked at her curiously.
"I was wondering... If you'd stay here with me anyway... after that nightmare, I don't know if I'll find sleep again. I'd feel more comfortable if you were with me."
She was blushing. Sephiroth cocked his head to the side. "Certainly Aeris." Though he'd never have said it out loud, he was honored that Aeris trusted him so much.
She smiled at him. "Thank you..."
Moments later they were lying next to one another, back to back in the same small bed. Both immediately felt calm and secure, comforted simply by the other's presence.
"Sephiroth... what do you think of Vincent?"
"He seems trustworthy enough." Sephiroth wasn't sure what else to say.
"He brings back memories. Lot of places and people, but I can't put names or faces with them..." Aeris sighed.
"Perhaps you will remember more when he explains in the morning." Sephiroth suggested, wanting to comfort her.
"It's funny. I want to know who I am.. But I'm not sure if I even want to remember... I have this horrible feeling... and I'm worried, and afraid to find out." Aeris admitted, feeling bad for making him worry, but needing to say it none the less.
"Whatever it is, Aeris, we'll get through it..." Sephiroth didn't dare admit he'd had the same feeling, the same horrible notion about some terrible wrong he'd committed. Aeris didn't need to know.
Aeris turned around, now facing his back. "Sephiroth...?" She questioned. He turned around to face her.
Suprising them both, she wrapped her arms around him and leaned her head against his chest. Even the gentle beating of his heart was reassuring. He looked more than a little surprised, and was glad it was dark and Aeris couldn't see him blush. Very hesitantly, he returned the embrace.
"Thank you, for being there when I need you. We'll get through this together." She sounded reassured. Aeris snuggled closer to him, wanting to share his warmth, and he didn't resist. He couldn't find any words to say, but several moments later, Aeris' relaxed breathing told him she was asleep.
Smiling slightly to himself, he held her closer. Before long the both of them were fast asleep, comforted in the arms of one another.
A bedroom away, Vincent quietly tossed and turned, unable to put his mind to rest.
Sandy Lamont awoke bright and early the next morning. She was more than a little excited. She had decided to visit Aeris and Sephiroth today. To explain the past... wouldn't it be wonderful if finally her research and hard work would pay off?
She got up and prepared to shower. Everything about the day seemed more and more promising.
Vincent was awake long before Sephiroth and Aeris. He was sitting out in the garden, thinking. He still had a PHS, and he knew it still worked. He stared at it as it lied in his hands... wondering if he should call Cloud.
Author's Notes: I know, I know. . . I'm terrible for taking forever. I hope this chapter suffices Expect more Vincent and some confusion next chapter. Maybe even more Romance... I just don't want it to happen too quickly. The first kiss is coming soon. I'm just waiting for the right moment. Keep reading!
And thank you for all the wonderful reviews! Feel free to email any other comments or suggestions.
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