Time to Leave

Gabreilla Moushigo

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Tifa was lying across her bed after packing. She didn't like this one bit, silently wondering if there was some other job Vincent could have taken that wouldn't involve going back… down there. She shivered at the thought of it. She wouldn't back down though. Vincent strode into her room right after another short phone call with Reeve.

He had told her earlier that Reeve would pay for her services to go along with him. She thought the least she could do - would be to help him out financially. It would bring some more money into the house. Sure it was paid for, but only God knew if another Dragonfly would fall out of the sky and smash this place too. She smiled at the thought.

Her backpack was a light one, food, water, a single change of clothes and a small vagabond stove. If Tifa knew Vincent, he would be chiding her for not bringing enough. So this time she went all out. She still had some room left in her pack.

Vincent strode into her room casually; trying to make sure he didn't frightened her by acting too cautious. "Here you are." He dumped something heavy next to her leg.

"What's that?" She sat up, trying to look at said large object.

"A gun, of course." He said plainly. "Although I doubt you'll need it." The WRO had confiscated many of the weapons cashes down in Deepground, but there was still a chance a few that the remaining soldiers might have held on to a round or two.

She looked at its sheer size and she had her doubts. It was his Griffin. How was she supposed to carry it? As if to answer her question for her, he produced the holster he kept it in… it would fit snuggly across her back after he was done adjusting it on her. Still, she couldn't help but point out the obvious. "I don't know how to use one!" She protested.

"You won't need to use it all the time," He knew she didn't like to use guns, but her body instead. "But you must realize that there are situations that will require you to use more than your fists and legs." Yes, especially when you have five people with machine guns trying to blow you away while you are ducked beside a brick wall.

"I'll try my best." Tifa got up at his urging. He adjusted the straps on her body in a professional manner. She was dumbfounded at how much of a difference there was between their bodies. He had to take a lot of slack out of the buckles. When he was finished she looked doubtful. "I guess you'll be there with me at any rate." She smiled hopefully. "So you'll show me how to use it?"

"Yes." He patted her head affectionately and left her room to make the final preparations. Her missing bed spread was not lost to him, but he believed that maybe she packed them away since she slept with him.

She lowered her eyes dejectedly as he left. They had lost a great deal of their intimacy and it saddened her. Why couldn't she have just let him that night? If she could have stayed calm everything would be alright still. He would still love her just as much.

She would need to apologize to him soon for denying him. Maybe if she did he would try to make love her again… maybe he would…

"It's time to go Tifa." Vincent said from the living room. Her heart sank, wishing he would have just come in and looked at her for a moment. Then maybe he would know how she felt. She heard a large vehicle parking out front. Time to leave.

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Tifa sat along side Vincent in the bouncy vehicle Reeve had provided. Tifa looked around curiously; it was almost like an RV. There was a computer console with many screens attached to the wall adjoining the cab. There were two benches and what she knew to be a machine gun turret laying underneath the flooring. Reeve was sitting at the computer typing. She had no idea what the man was doing, but knowing him…

She turned her eyes to Vincent, only to find that he was staring at her. She gave Reeve a final glance, figuring he was so engrossed in what he was doing that she decided to speak. "Vincent?" Her gaze flicked back to the man she addressed.

He blinked his eyes, indicating that he heard her.

"I know this is a weird time to bring this up… but I realized we haven't really gotten to spend a lot of time together." She stole a glance at Reeve, he looked like he was still distracted enough. "And become… closer."

His eyes crinkled a bit in amusement, she was being sweet to him again. "One cannot rush this sort of thing." He felt like a fool thinking she might have hated him. Still, he needed to be a little cautious with her.

"I know," She fidgeting, suddenly shy. "I don't think it's been a lack of wanting to do so much as…" Her words trailed off, not sure what to say.

That was a good thing to hear. "The timing was never right?" He added helpfully.

"Yes!" She whispered, but just a bit too loud. Reeve made a noise, indicating that he realized they might be talking, but quickly settled back into what he was doing. "I mean, yes. That's it."

"Tifa," Vincent spoke, his tone flat as he leaned back onto the bench they were sitting on. "Do not trouble yourself so much. I invited you here because I wanted your company." He felt a little idiotic for saying this but… "If nothing ever happened like that between us again, I would be happy just having you by my side." He crossed his arms in front of chest and closed his eyes. "I wouldn't want you to do anything if you were uncomfortable."

She remembered him saying that before the first time she slept with him. That seemed like so long ago now. "I know." Suddenly she felt better. "Sorry I've been so nervous lately." Now she was resting her head against the back of the bench. Maybe things would be better soon.

"Its fine, I would be nervous too." He said softly, trying to make light since she seemed to have calmed down since leaving the house.

"What does that supposed to mean?" Tifa shot back; turning her head to look at him, only to find that he was smiling. At this angle she had an unrestricted view of his face. He was teasing her! "You!"

Vincent gave Reeve a glance, wondering if the man was listening. He probably was, knowing him. But unless he had eyes in the back of his head… Vincent bent his head and placed a sound kiss on Tifa's lips. The first one in a while, and she wasn't afraid. And when their lips parted, "Don't be nervous, you'll come to me when you're ready." If that day ever comes. It was ok though, he could wait forever. However, it seemed things were headed for the better. The fact that she had calmed down considerably warmed his soul. Perhaps there was hope for him yet.

There was a soft sigh, but it didn't come from the woman before him. The sigh trailed into a purring voice. "Augh! Tha' is sooo ruumantic!" Cait Sith's head appeared out of a nearby duffle bag. Vincent's eyes widened at this little intrusion. Cait's small gloved hands were clasped together as he rose up out of his hiding place. He placed his wound hands together at his chin. "Augh knew ya had in ya lad… an' wha' a talker! She'll be putty in yer hands in no time. Purr."

Vincent's glare could've bore holes into the back of Reeve's head. The man was just typing away at his keyboard. With Reeve's dark hair, Vincent hadn't noticed that the bastard was wearing ear phones. He was probably listening in on their conversation the whole time. Way to ruin a moment Reeve… I should kill you.

"Don' be mahd at me Vincent." Cait purred. "Augh couldn't resist findin' out."

Vincent looked away from the doll, a bit disgusted that he let Reeve get one up on him again. With Cait being here, he wondered if Reeve wasn't a doll too. He felt Tifa stiffen up a while ago when they realized the mechanical feline made it appearance. She was currently hiding her face into the neck of his cloak, not that he minded, but she was embarrassed again. He sighed and patted her shoulder with what should be his left hand. This would take a while. The road was bumpy, but it wouldn't be long now. While Cait droned on about Vincent's mashmellowy center he began wondering why he even left his home with Tifa in the first place.

Then again, she had been so tense lately since that night he tried to take her. He wondered perhaps if this mission would ease her mind. Maybe they could start over afterwards… maybe if he was gentle enough…

"We're here." Reeve announced and Vincent's flicked open.

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Author Notes:

Again – a very short chapter. Not much to say really – just some fluff! The action chapter I realized isn't very action-y but it's fairly decent. I hope you enjoy it too.