A/N: For all those who have questions on why and how Valayris knows the great people from AVALANCHE your questions will be answered in chapters to come but to start you off this chapter you'll learn how Cid comes to know Valayris. Enjoy!

Disclaimer I do not own Vincent or any of the Final Fantasy Characters in this story. Valayris Valk is my own creation thought.

On Yuffie's cheery note they all turn to look at the large control panel staring back at them.

"So now what do we do?" Yuffie asks.

"We need to find out if they've manufactured any of the magic into a working virus and to find out where they're storing it," Vincent says.

"Do you think that will be in the computer's database? Tifa asks.

"There's one way to find out," Cid replies sauntering over to the computer.

Standing in front of the panel Cid cracks his knuckles. Furiously he begins typing on the keyboard as text scrolls across the screen.

"Ah ha, Cid laughs.

"Well?" Cloud asks.

"I know where they've stored the magic from Valayris," Cid says.

"Where?" Valayris asks perking up, "I want my magic back."

"It's through the doors just behind the crystal, all the way down the hall on the left hand side," Cid says squinting at the screen.

"Great! Thanks Cid," Valayris says turning to head toward the doors, "I'll be back soon."

Before Valayris could leave she feels a hand on her shoulder.

"Not with out me," Vincent says.

"But the guys might need you," Valayris says.

"You might need him too," Cloud says.

"I'm your protector," Vincent tells her, "Remember?"

"I know," Valayris says.

"I think the seven of us can handle things till you get back," Tifa smiles.

"Ookay," Valayris says, "We'll be back then."

Valayris and Vincent turn and leave the room as Cloud and Tifa smile at each other.

"Any luck on finding out if they've created this atrocity?" Red asks Cid.

"Not yet, still looking," Cid sneers, "It's a big database."

Valayris and Vincent make there way to the room where they were storing her magic. Reaching the door Valayris reaches out and turns the handle. The handles clicks signaling another locked door.

"What is it with Deep Ground and locking important rooms," Valayris sighs.

"Stand back Valayris," Vincent instructs.

Valayris stands back as Vincent points Cerberus at the door's lock. Firing a shot the bullet breaks the lock and the door swings freely open. Opening the door Vincent lets Valayris in first.

"Why thank you," Valayris smiles before entering the room.

Entering the room it glows in silver light. Large Tubes filled, with the silver substance Vincent had seen being pumped out of Valayris when she was trapped in the crystal, fill the room.

"So this is what magic looks like," Vincent says bringing his face close to one of the tubes.

"Well kind of," Valayris says grabbing a tube off the shelf.

"What do you mean kind of?" Vincent asks turning to her.

"This is one of its many forms," Valayris says opening the tube.

"It has more then one form?" Vincent asks.

"Yep, its look different when it's in me, coming out of me, free from any host, so one and so forth," Valayris explains.

Valayris sticks her hand into the tube as Vincent watches the silver substance adheres to Valayris's skin. Pulling her arm out of the tube Valayris watches the magic absorb into her skin. Closing her eyes for a brief moment she lets out a ragged sigh.

"Does it hurt?" Vincent asks walking closer to her.

Opening her eyes she looks at Vincent, the blue in her eyes was gone; in its place was a brilliant silver. Vincent's jaw drops as slowly the blue in her eyes returns.

"Sorry I didn't mean to scare you," Valayris apologizes as Vincent's mouth closes.

"What just happened?" Vincent asks.

"The magic was making its way through my system," Valayris assures him, "It's normal don't worry and no it doesn't hurt it's just a very weird rush."

"Oh ok," Vincent replies.

Looking around at all the tubes filled with magic Valayris says, "I didn't realize they had taken so much."

"That is a lot, no wonder you were so drained," Vincent says.

"I can't absorb all of these now," Valayris says looking at all the tubes, "Do you think you'd be willing to help me carry the rest back?"

"Yes of course, we can't leave your magic here," Vincent tells her.

"Thank you," Valayris says glancing at him out of the corner of her eye, "Well time to get to work."

Valayris absorbs tube after tube of magic till only a few remain.

"I think that's it for me," Valayris says looking at her hand glowing in silver light, "We'll take the rest back."

Valayris hand stops glowing as she begins to gather all the remaining tubes. Vincent watches as she climbs to the top shelf of one of the storage units.

"The last one, always has to be in the far back," Valayris says as she climbs up another shelf.

"Valayris, I'll get it," Vincent says walking over to her.

"No, no I got it," Valayris says extending her hand.

Her fingers brush against the container pushing it further back. Making random grunting noises Valayris stands on her tiptoes on the edge of one of the shelves.

"Almost...got it," Valayris breathes.

Just as she was about to grab it her toes slip off the edge of the shelf. Vincent sees her begin to fall. Successfully Vincent catches her in his arms. Valayris looks at Vincent as he holds her close to him.

"You really are always here to catch me when I fall," Valayris breathes not breaking eye contact with him.

"I made a promise didn't I," Vincent says.

The closeness of the moment swirls around them. Right now there was only the two of them, there was no disease, no AVALANCHE members waiting from them to return, no virus in the computer, nothing, just...them.

"Thank you for always being there," Valayris says placing a hand on his cheek. Valayris watches as Vincent closes his eyes. The sensation of Valayris's hand on his cheek was warm and gentle. Valayris's heart beats faster as Vincent's brings his face closer to hers. Vincent wrapped up in the moment wants to kiss her and this time he was not going to be interrupted by a weak body. Closing her eyes Valayris's hand guides Vincent lips closer to hers. When their lips were about to meet the door opens. Vincent and Valayris's eyes snap open and look at each other. Valayris looks away as her hand curls up and rest against her chest.

"Is everything ok?" Barret asks.

"Yeah, she just slipped on the shelf," Vincent says setting Valayris down on the ground.

"Cid's discovered something that you guys need to hear," Barret says.

"Umm...Oh, Ok," Valayris says trying to compose, "Barret can you carry some of these tubes please."

"Of coarse Val," Barret says taking some tubes from Valayris as Vincent grabs the one tube that Valayris was trying to get earlier.

"Lets go," Valayris says as she walks out.

"Did I interrupt something?" Barret asks Vincent before they walk out.

"No, you didn't," Vincent sighs walking out of the room.

Valayris, Vincent and Barret rejoin the group.

"Good to see you guys," Yuffie says, "We thought you guys might have run into trouble."

"Nope the only trouble was my clumsiness," Valayris states setting the tubes she was carrying on the ground.

"Your magic?" Red asks looking at the tubes.

"Yep the stuff my body couldn't absorb right now," Valayris says as Vincent and Barret pile the tube they were carrying next to the tubes Valayris had set down.

Yuffie bends down and examines the tubes.

"Wow it's so pretty," Yuffie says rolling the tube around watching it sparkle and shine.

"So Cid what kind of information do you have for us?" Valayris asks.

"Ah yes, I have found out that they have the data to make the virus a reality but they have yet to manufacture it. If someone gets a hold of the virus inside the computer they could manufacture the virus but as of now the computer has the virus and no one else." Cid says walking away from the computer panel.

"Well that's good to hear, less healing for me," Valayris states.

"Well we have to destroy the virus and keep this computer shut down permanently," Cloud says.

"How do we shut this computer down and destroy the virus?" Yuffie asks.

"Beats me," Barret says scratching his hand.

"We're trying to destroy a virus right?" Valayris asks getting an idea.

"Yea," Tifa says.

"Well how do we destroy a virus in a human body?" Valayris asks.

"Medicines," Tifa answers, "Val what are you getting at?"

"The virus needs to be healed," Valayris explains.

"Well then Val work some of that white magic," Cait Sith says.

"That's the thing, this virus is just a bunch of data in the computer, it's still a computer virus, they haven't made it a real. I can't heal computer viruses," Valayris explains walking over to Cid.

"But I know someone who can," Valayris say batting her eyelashes at Cid.

Cid looks around and then back at Valayris, "Me?"

"Come one Cid," Valayris says, "Your the best computer man I know. Surely you can handle healing one computer virus."

"I can try," Cid says, "Since you've suckered me into with those pretty blue eyes of yours."

"Just think Cid, you are going to be saving people from a dreadful virus before the virus can be released onto the innocent masses," Valayris smiles.

"You can stop convincin' me Val," Cid tells her placing a hand on her cheek, "I'll do it."

"Thank you Cid," Valayris smiles as Cid returns the smile.

The rest of the group watches as Cid begins to work his magic. Cid's rapid tapping on keys echoes off the empty lab walls. Data flies across the screen while Cid focuses all his attention on the screen.

Hours pass as the group grows restless.

"Come one Cid," Cloud says, "You've gotta be close by now."

"Be patient kid," Cid says, "I'm gettin' there. I'm gettin' there."

Cid's typing speed increases as Barret lets out a huge yawn. Cid snaps his head around glaring at Barret

"Sorry Cid," Barret apologizes waving his hands innocently.

Turning his head back Cid continues typing away. Vincent from his position on the floor examines the scene. Yuffie fascinated with the tubes of silver substance sits in front of them rolling them back and forth idly. Barret leans against the opposite wall his muscular arms crossed lazily across his chest his chin resting on his chest as his eyes slowly close. Red lay at Cid's feet as Cait Sith reclines on Red's back. Tifa leans against Cloud's chest as protectively Cloud wraps an arm around her slender shoulders. Valayris resting against the lowered crystal watches everyone just as Vincent was doing. Their eyes meet looking at each other from across the room. Valayris blushes and turns her eyes away remembering the event they had right before Barret walked in. Vincent sees Valayris blush.

"Wonder if she's thinking about earlier?" Vincent thinks to himself, "Why do we always get interrupted?"

Vincent notices Valayris looking at Tifa and Cloud. Sighing Valayris couldn't help but wish that was her and Vincent instead of Cloud and Tifa. She was happy from them definitely but she would like a firm chest to rest her head upon too. She had come so close to kissing Vincent again, why did things always have to interrupt them?

"I guess it will happen when it's meant to happen, if it's suppose to happen," Valayris thinks looking back over to see Vincent stand up. Vincent walks over to her and is about to sit down next to her when Cid's cries cut through the silent atmosphere.

"I did it, I did it," Cid cries dancing around narrowly missing Red's tail.

Red getting up moves away from Cid to prevent any injuries to himself. Vincent offers Valayris his hand. Looking at him Valayris smiles and takes it. Vincent pulls Valayris up as she says, "See Cid, I knew you could do it."

"Thank you," Valayris whispers to Vincent as they walk over to Cid.

In response Vincent lays a hand on her lower back allowing her to go in front of him.

"All we need to do now is blow this place," Cid says.

"Sounds good to me," Barret grunts.

"Barret, Cid, Vincent, and I will set the explosives," Cloud says.

"What about us?" Tifa asks placing a hand on her hip.

"You guys get out of here and will be out there to meet you in a few," Cloud says placing a hand on Tifa's shoulder, "I'll come back I promise."

The frustration in Tifa's eyes fade as her face softens.

"Fine, you win," Tifa sighs.

"Red, Cait Sith," Vincent says, "Take good care of Tifa, Yuffie and Valayris."

"Of course," Cait Sith says.

"We can take care of ourselves," Tifa says.

"Yeah," Yuffie agrees.

Valayris just stands there in silence; there was no use in getting involved in this.

"I know," Vincent says, "But it never hurts to have someone watching your back."
"It's true," Red says.

"Fine then I'm watching your back Red," Yuffie says.

"I wouldn't have it another way Yuffie," Red says turning to walk off.

Valayris starts to follow but turns back around and run over to the guys.

"Val you need to go with them," Barret says gesturing the group who was now waiting for her.

"Not with out leaving you guys with some protection," Valayris says.

Valayris's lips shimmer as she stands on her tiptoes kissing Barret cheek. Barret shivers at the sensation of magic flying through his system. Next she stands in front of Cid.

"Does that mean I get a kiss too?" Cid asks.

Valayris laughs, "Yes Cid, you get a kiss too."

Cid leans down making it easier to access his cheek. Cid smiles as the magic courses through his body. Cloud looks at Valayris who leans in close to him.

"Tifa won't get mad will she?" Valayris asks in a whisper.

"I don't think so," Cloud says whispering back.

Valayris kisses Cloud on the cheek.

"Is she mad?" Valayris asks.

Cloud turns his eyes up to see Tifa and the others patiently waiting.

"I think we're ok," Cloud says.

"That's good," Valayris smiles before moving on to Vincent.

It was only a coincidence that Vincent was the last person in the line. Yet Valayris notices that the closer she got to him the faster her heartbeat was. Standing in front of him she sighs. Vincent looks around and then at her and says, "My turn?"

"Yes it is," Valayris smiles.

Vincent leans down as Valayris stands on her tiptoes and gently kisses him on the cheek. Valayris blushes turning her eyes to her feet once her feet make complete contact with the floor.

"Now, trust in my silver light and no harm will come to you," Valayris tells them.

"Yes Ma'am," they reply.

Valayris smiles at them, "We'll see you outside."

Valayris then takes off joining the rest of the group. The guys watch the group leave. Once they were out of sight Cloud turns to the rest of the guys.

"Barret and I will plant an explosive on the west side of the headquarters. Vincent and Cid, you two head east. Set them for 30 minutes just in case we get lost in this maze." Cloud says.

"You got it!" Cid replies.

The guys go their separate directions.

"Cid," Vincent says feeling the white magic comes to rest just underneath his skin, "Has she ever done this to you before?"

"Yea actually, it was the first time I met her," Cid says remembering, "It's a little weird your first time out I know."

"How did you meet her anyway?" Vincent asks.

"Well the little wife and I stopped by to see Cloud, Tifa and the kids on are way back from jettin' around in High Sierra. I guess by that time Valayris was living with Cloud and Tifa. Helping Tifa out at the bar and working with Cloud, helping him deliver items she made that place her home."

"How did she come to live with Cloud and Tifa?" Vincent asks.

"Don't really know, you'll have to ask Cloud about that," Cid tells him, "Well right before we were going to leave it starts pouring down rain. Sherra said we should have waited out the storm. I told her I could handle it. We start to argue as we're walking out and we're about to reach the ship when I hear someone call, "Mr. Highwind! Mr. Highwind!" Turning around I see Valayris drenched chasing after us. I'll never forget how her blue eyes shone in the rain. I told her to call me Cid and she said she wanted to give us something for the flight home. That's when she kisses us on the forehead and told us to believe in the white magic she had given us. I hadn't known until that point she was a white mage but I'll tell you what this stuff helped get me home and helped me keep my wife safe. Every since that time she's been like a daughter to me. That's why I'm glad Cloud sent her off to you when all this started because she would have been killed long ago if she had stayed with us."

"Oh," Vincent says reaching where they need to put the explosives, "I hope I did a good enough job for you guys."

"She's alive and safe and that's all that matters," Cid says setting the explosive, "Now lets get out of here."

The rest of the group sits out in front of High Sierra waiting for the guys to return.

"So Val, was Vincent a complete downer while you were with him?" Yuffie asks dancing around.

"No, he had his moments but I could tell he's been through a lot so he had a right to be down every once in a while but he's wasn't like that all the time," Valayris says.

"Did you do anything to Vincent while you were away?" Tifa asks.

The question causes Valayris to blush.

"What do you mean Tifa?" Valayris asks looking away.

"Like work your white magic on him or something," Tifa explains, "He seems lighter and not so brooding and silent."

"Not that I can think of. I did have to heal him when Deep Ground tried to poison him but that's about it," Valayris explains.

"He's gentle toward you that I did notice," Red says.

Valayris blushes again, "Isn't he always like that?"

"No," everyone answers at the same time.

Yuffie was about to open her mouth to make what Valayris was sure was a smart alec remark when Tifa interrupts by calling out a name.

"Cloud!" Tifa cries rushing off to greet him.

Valayris stands up to see the guys walking toward them. Valayris's eyes come to rest on Vincent who was walking with Cid. Seeing him her heart begins to flutter.

"Why is my heart acting this way?" Valayris asks laying a hand on her fluttering heart.

Valayris then turns her eyes to see Tifa hugging Cloud as he returns her embrace.

"See I told you I'd be back," Cloud says, "You didn't miss me did ya?"

Tifa playful punches him on the shoulder as she walks side by side with him.

"Thanks for the magic Val," Barret says.

"My pleasure Barret," Valayris smiles.

"Thank ya little darlin'," Cid smiles giving her a quick hug.

"Anything thing for my friends," Valayris says.

When Vincent reaches Valayris it feels like all eyes turn to see what they would do next.

"Thank you," Vincent says placing a hand on her shoulder.

Valayris brushes her cheek against his hand. Vincent even through his glove could feel the soft skin of her cheek against his hand. Soft and gentle just the way Valayris was."You're welcome," Valayris smiles

"Now lets get up in the air and heal this city," Cid says as the High Sierra opens up to allow the group inside.

"Are you ready for this?" Vincent whispers to her.

"I don't have a choice," Valayris replies.

Nervousness spreads across her face. Vincent in response takes her hand in his, "Remember I'm always here."

Vincent gives Valayris's hand a quick reassuring squeeze.

"Thank you," Valayris says before she steps onto the ship breaking away from Vincent's gentle grip.

Vincent follows quickly behind her as High Sierra closes its doors and takes off into the air.