He Doesn't Go Out

Chapter 4

Finally, Porter and Quigley went home, leaving the Highwind household to its normal Saturday routine. Cid went out and worked on the engine that had been sitting in the garage half assembled for well over a year now. He kept mulling over something in his mind, debating whether or not his initial idea that morning would fly or not. Well, he figured on one hand that it would, but he was also well aware that when Vincent was clued in, that it wasn't outside of the realm of reason that the gunslinger would snap and neatly deposit a bullet in the pilot's brain.

Deciding that he needed to go out for a new fuel pump, Cid went to the garage sink, washed up and pulled his truck keys from his pocket. He didn't so much as bother to go into the house to tell Shera or Vincent that he was going. As he saw it, they'd figure it out quickly enough if they looked out the window and saw his pickup gone.

Cid drove the short distance to the parts store and acquired his needed pump. That done, he headed back out to his truck, noticing the black Cadillac parked next to it. There was only one person in town that drove that particular type of car, and a wicked smile came to Cid's lips. He tossed his fuel pump into the bed of his truck and folded down the tailgate and sat upon it, opting to camp out until the owner of the Cadillac emerged.

He was just about to give up and simply go home when Devonna finally emerged from the grocery store that was adjacent to the auto supply shop. The pilot hopped back to his feet and rushed toward her, seeing that she was burdened with slightly more than she could comfortably carry.

When he claimed some of the bags from her, she immediately looked grateful. "Hey, thanks, Mr. Highwind."

"No problem." He walked along beside her toward the Caddy, thinking out how to say what he needed to, but he was interrupted when Devonna took the initiative of broaching the subject.

"So, hey, who was that with you last night?" she asked, pulling her keys from her purse and popping open the trunk of her car. "Looked familiar…is it that Valentine guy that you and the others did all that stuff with?"

Cid knit his brow and nodded. "Yeah, one in the same."

"Wow…he's pretty hot," Devonna laughed back, blushing a little. "I don't suppose he's single?"

Pay dirt! Cid thought to himself, a smile creeping to his lips again. "What is it girls always say? The good lookin' ones are always married or gay, right?"

Her expression fell. "Figures, so which is it?"

The pilot had to struggle to keep from laughing. "Queer as they get."

"That's a damn shame." Devonna indicated where Cid needed to place the bags he was carrying.

"Well, even though he wouldn't be interested in you like that…uh, you know," Cid paused, scratching the back of his head-- lying had never been his strong suit, "he could really use a few friends. He's been here in town for months and other than Shera 'n me, he doesn't go out or anythin'."

Devonna looked thoughtful. "Well, I wouldn't mind having lunch with him sometime. I'm always game, you know. I bet he's got some great stories."

"Don't believe whatever he says about me," Cid laughed back. "Seriously, though, you wouldn't mind gettin' him out of the house for me?"

"Not at all. Tell you what," she said growing thoughtful, "how about I take him out tomorrow afternoon? I can be by around one to get him, unless he's got something else planned?"

"He ain't got shit goin' on." Inwardly, Cid was downright giddy at his success. He had gotten Vincent a date, well, sort of, that would be safe and not make an issue of his…condition. "I owe you one."

She offered the pilot a wink. "Think nothing of it, I'm glad to do it."

"Thanks. I'll head on home and tell him." He turned and opened the door to his truck, "I'll see ya' when you come to get him, then. Bye."

"Bye." With that, she got into her car and pulled away.

Once he figured there was no chance she could see him, Cid collapsed against the steering wheel, howling with laughter. "Fuck me! 'Yeah, Vinny's gay…huge queen, really!'"

Sometimes, Cid frightened himself with how good his plans could be.

After he got himself together and wiped his eyes that had teared up during his laughing fit, Cid started his truck and headed home. Not willing to meet his possible murder immediately, he grabbed the fuel pump and simply went right back into the garage to work on his engine.

Vincent, needing to take a break from his constant reading, pulled himself off of the couch and strolled out into the garage to see what Cid was up to. He spotted the blond at work and sat on the stool in front of the workbench. "What are you doing?"

Cid huffed and wiped his hands on a rag before looking over at his companion. "Fuel pump."

Vincent nodded knowingly, although mechanics were beyond him. "I see."

"Yeah." Cid thought for a moment. "You'll never guess who I ran into earlier."

"Ran into? In the garage?" Vincent narrowed his crimson eyes.

"I went to the parts store, retard." He scowled at the gunman's lack of insight.

"Oh, I hadn't noticed."

Cid scoffed. "Of course you didn't, you can't get your ass off the couch except to piss and raid the fridge."

"Classy, Highwind." Vincent crossed his arms over his chest, donning an expression of annoyance.

"Anyway, I saw that Devonna chick." Cid awaited Vincent's reaction.

His eyes went wide for a moment, before he managed to suppress his display of interest. "Did you? At the part store? I didn't peg her for the mechanical type."

Shit…he's gonna see right through me! The pilot's blue eyes narrowed as he thought fast. "Naw, I was headin' out of the part store and she was comin' out of the market next door. Anyway, I talked to her for a few minutes and she said that she's gonna come over tomorrow around one to pick you up and take you out to lunch."

Vincent leapt to his feet, his face displaying his fear. "Are you insane? Did you forget everything I showed you last night? I…I can't go out with her!"

"Don't get your panties in a bunch, it ain't a date or any such." Cid smiled, enjoying Vincent's look of absolute terror.

"It's just she and I, right? How is that not a date?" Vincent felt his stomach knot.

"Because she don't think you're interested."

"After all the flirting last night?" Vincent took a step closer, ruing the fact he'd left his gun in the guestroom.

Cid braced for the worst as he just got it all on the table. "Look, guy, I told her you just needed to get out more and needed friends. I took the pressure off of any sort of you know, personal interest by tellin' her…"

Vincent waited for the pilot to finish his statement, but quickly grew impatient. "By telling her what?"

Cid flushed red instantly. "I mighta told her that you were, uh, sorta gay."

Vincent stopped moving and breathing all together as he debated whether or not to kill Cid himself, or let Chaos come out and do the damage for him. When he did manage some manner of response it was simply a tiny squeak as his voice refused to cooperate.

The pilot smiled. "Come on! At least you're gonna get out of the house with a pretty girl!"

"Who thinks I'm gay!" Vincent let his arms fall straight at his sides and clenched his fists. "Is…is this your idea of helping?"

"Yup." Cid thought better of it and took a step back.

Luckily for Cid, Shera appeared around the corner, breaking the tension. "Come on, boys, it's time for lunch."

Cid, not wishing to press his luck by remaining alone with the former Turk for the time being, immediately followed his wife back into the house, glancing back at Vincent's death gaze along the way.

Vincent, after a few more moments of brooding, went in, too. He had just added Cid to his list.