A/N: This chapter has been revised taking in the constructive comments given to me in some of my reviews. Please enjoy the revision.
Disclaimer I do not own Vincent or any of the Final Fantasy Characters in this story. Valayris Valk is my own creation thought.
Moments later Reno walks in with a wheelchair. .
"Your chariot awaits my lady," Reno smiles.
Valayris laughs while Reno wheels the chair over to her. Picking her up Reno notices she's light like a feather.
"My, my, lady you are light aren't you?" Reno says twirling her around slowly.
Giggling Reno laughs along with Valayris.
"Are you this charming to every girl you meet?" Valayris asks.
"Only to every angel I've ever met," Reno replies placing Valayris in the wheelchair.
"And how many 'angels' have you meet in your lifetime?" Valayris asks raising an eyebrow.
Reno puts his thinking face on as Valayris watches him patiently waiting for her answer.
"Now that you mention that, you would be the first," Reno says.
Valayris blushes, maybe Reno wasn't as bad as she originally thought he would be.
"Now to lunch," Reno smiles.
"I'd prefer to walk if you don't mind," Valayris tells him starting to push herself out of the chair.
"Well I'm sorry but the doctor and I do mind," Reno says placing his hands on her shoulders.
"But," Valayris tries again to get out of the chair, "I would really rather walk."
"Dear Valayris, don't be stubborn you're most useful to Midgar and its people alive and in no pain." Reno explains.
Valayris sighs this was a battle she was destined to lose. Figuring it would be better to quit now she says, "You've won. This time."
"Thank you," Reno says getting behind her wheelchair.
Wheeling the chair out Valayris catches a glimpse of Vincent leaning against the wall. Guilt creeps over her, even though Reno was proving not to be as terrible as she first thought her heart still wishes Vincent was the one taking her to lunch. They were so close to having some sort of intimate moment, well at least Valayris believes it was an intimate moment, yet Vincent hadn't spoken up in time and now she was off to lunch with Reno, the hyper active Turk. Reno continues to push the wheelchair as Valayris watches Vincent disappear into the distance.
"You are a brave angel to take the bullet for Vincent, 'specially when the people of Midgar value your life more then his," Reno states.
"No one's life is more valuable then anyone else's. Least in my book." Valayris snaps.
The comment hits a nerve deep inside Valayris one that had been untouched for many years.
"The statement of a true white mage," Reno says.
"Honestly my dear lady," Reno tells her, "I am truly grateful you recovered so well."
Valayris smiles at Reno's sincerity, "Well thank you."
"You are too beautiful to die," Reno blushes looking away.
"You are too sweet," Valayris says holding his hand in hers for a few moments.
"I'm just being honest," Reno tells her.
Valayris giggles at the flattery. Valayris couldn't help but wonder if because she was the "great white mage" that Reno was being this charming toward her.
"Probably," Valayris thinks, "To everyone I'm just a white mage. But maybe, just maybe Vincent sees me as just more then that 'great white mage' maybe I'm human to him like he's human to me."
Valayris looks up wondering what Vincent was doing at this moment. Little did she know Vincent was sitting on the roof watching the two of them.
"You may be her escort Reno," Vincent says, "But I am still her protector."
Vincent finds a suitable position as he watches Reno wheel her to a table in the sun.
"Don't worry Valayris. I will protect you," Vincent tells her from the roof, "I will always protect you."
Vincent feels this could be his chance for redemption. Redeeming himself of his previous sins, sins that still linger in his heart haunting him with their ghostly presence.
Reno and Valayris sit outside enjoying the warm weather.
"So Valayris what brings you guys this far from Midgar?" Reno asks, "Or is that top secret stuff."
"Well Mr. Turk you would know all about top secret wouldn't you?" Valayris smiles.
Reno loves to see Valayris smile. Happiness in people was a rarity these days and when she smiles it seems to brighten other people's faces as well. She truly was Midgar's savior Reno decides.
"Looking for a safe place till I can perform my white mage duties," Valayris explains, "What about you Mr. Turk?"
"Shinra's trying to do its part to stifle Deep Ground," Reno says, "We owe it to this world."
"But I thought Deep Ground was a branch of Shinra?"
"It was a branch many years ago," Reno says, "Our late President created them and then when the Meteor Crisis hit they where stuck underground. Our President never heard of the program for it was deep in our corporation's shadows. Now President Rufus wishes to continue correcting Shinra's mistakes."
"Ah I see," Valayris says playing with her fork.
"We heard of some Deep Ground disturbances in this area so we're here to investigate," Reno states.
"I see," Valayris says, "Then maybe I should be worried that Deep Ground will come and get me in my sleep."
"See my lady that is something you don't have to worry about," Reno tells her leaning closer to her.
"What is he doing?" Vincent asks from his perch, "I don't like the feeling of this."
"And why my dear Turk do I not have to worry about it?" Valayris asks leaning closer to Reno.
"Because I'm here," Reno says jerking back quickly and smoothing his crumpled shirt.
"I see and the name Reno strikes fear into the hearts of Deep Ground,"
"Of course," Reno smiles.
Valayris laughs at Reno's demeanor, for some strange reason it reminds her of Cid.
"Oh Cid," Valayris thinks, thinking of the dinner she missed with Cid and Barret. Her heart aches a little for her friends but she couldn't return to them, not yet. Not till they were ready for her.
"So what do you think about Vincent?" Reno asks, "Vincent uses to be in the same outfit I'm in now."
"Really?" Valayris asks, "Untucked just like you too."
"Nah I'm the only Turk that can pulls this look off," Reno smiles.
Valayris then imagines Vincent in a sharp pressed suit. Valayris couldn't help but internal smile at the image. He would have been handsome in a Turk suit.
"Bet that was a long time ago," Valayris thinks to herself.
"Vincent was a Turk once," Reno tells her.
"What happened?" Valayris asks tilting her head questioningly.
"Not my place to tell you. It is quite a tragic tale."
"Oh I see. So you bait me with this intriguing piece of evidence so I'll go ask Vincent, who in turn will get mad at me for asking," Valayris works out, "Clever."
"I'm a Turk, what can I say," Reno shrugs.
"Thanks for interesting tidbit Reno," Valayris replies tapping her thumb on the table.
"But in all honesty it is truly tragic and very private," Reno says, "So what do you think of the modern man of mystery?"
"Why do you ask?" Valayris asks.
The conversation starts to feel awkward.
"This isn't going to be pretty," Valayris thinks to herself.
"Just want to make sure Cloud picked the right man for the job," Reno says stroking her hand, "Because Turks are very good bodyguards."
Vincent sees this action from the roof. Jumping to his feet Vincent gets ready to pounce on Reno.
"Stop it Reno," Vincent growls.
"Is that so?" Valayris says slowly pulling her hand away from Reno's.
"Well I'm quite pleased with my protector, thank you," Valayris states.
"Even though you were shot under his watch?"
"It was my fault I was shot, not his. It had nothing to do with him. I just wish I had thought of using my magic instead of my body," Valayris says laying a hand on her wound which was beginning to heat up.
"Yes please," Reno says, "Midgar will thank you."
"Besides thanks you my protector I was save," Valayris points out.
Her wound burns with the anger forming inside her.
"If it wasn't for your protector you wouldn't have been shot in the first place," Reno argues.
This conversation lost all its pleasantries. It had now become the battle of stubbornness.
"No, if it wasn't for my protector, I would be with Shinra's Holier then thou Deep Ground being poked and prodded at like some damn experiment specimen or worst dead." Valayris states.
The anger inside her was too much. Reno had hit nerves that had be left alone for many years. Valayris tries to calm herself down knowing Reno didn't know any better but the wound would not let her relax. Valayris was surprised the wound didn't set the bandages on fire it was so hot. Groaning she clutches her side. Plopping down in her wheelchair she doubles over in pain.
"Take her inside Reno," Vincent orders Reno from his perch.
"I think I have spent too much of your energy this afternoon. Now I think you should rest."
"I think you're right," Valayris gasps.
"I love when you agree with me," Reno smiles trying to lighten the mood.
Valayris attempts to return a smile but all she could think about was laying down in bed and dealing with old painful memories.
Reno wheels her back to her room and sets her on the bed.
"Maybe we can try this again when you're more rested?"
"Maybe," Valayris says turning her face toward the window.
"I'll take a maybe it's always better then a no," Reno says, "Please my mage rest find your strength again."
Reno gently closes the door as the anger festers inside Valayris. Old memories, painful memories swirl around her head like a school of fish. Valayris was not an angel, she was human and because of her quote unquote perfection she was treated better then everyone else. This treatment opens old wounds that would never fully heal.
"Vincent," Valayris whispers to herself, "Where are you now my Red Knight?"
Closing her eyes for a brief moment a strange noise enters her ears. It was the sound of a window opening. Thinking it might be Deep Ground she sits up ready to fight. That was her intention at least. The sudden movement causes her torso to spasm sending sparks of pain shooting across her body. She gasps for air, her eyes blur from the pain.
"Deep breaths," a familiar bass voice says.
"Vin...cent?" Valayris gasps trying desperately trying to focus her eyes on him.
"Don't talk, just breath," Vincent instructs as he helps her lie back down.
"Close your eyes," Vincent says.
Closing her eyes she continues trying to relieve the pain in her side.
"Slow and steady," Vincent instructs.
Several minutes pass giving the pain time to die away allowing her to breathe normally. Turning her face into the room she sees Vincent sitting on the floor.
"I can see you," Valayris laughs slightly.
"Well that's a good sign," Vincent says, "How did lunch go?"
"Good at first then it turned into a huge argument,"
"What happened?"
"He has a gift in pushing people's buttons,"
"Oh, ok," Vincent says.
The two then sit in silence.
"I'm so tired of everyone telling me I am more important then everyone else," Valayris sighs struggling to sit up.
Vincent rushes to assist her. Vincent noticed the distraught look in her face.
"Who says that?" Vincent asks.
"Reno," Valayris sighs placing her face in her hands, "He basically told me I was an idiot for placing your life above my apparent highly priced life."
"Why do you say that?" Vincent asks not fully understanding the complete picture.
"Because that's what he said!" Valayris exclaims, "Aren't you listening to me?"
"Calm down Valayris you'll hurt yourself," Vincent says, "I just..."
"How dare you tell me to calm down," Valayris interrupts, " I can hurt myself if I want to, its my body no one else's. I'm like everyone else. You don't know anything about me. All you know you is, that you love Lucrecia and you would do anything for your friends. I am nothing but a duty to you."
Getting up Valayris starts to walk out the door.
"Valayris wait," Vincent calls after her.
She stops and looks at Vincent, her eyes turning red from the tears sliding down her cheeks. Vincent taken back from the silver tears sliding down her face forgot everything he was going to say. All Vincent could think was how sad and lonely see looks standing in the doorway. Seeing Vincent didn't have anything to say to her she turns back around and walks out the door.