A Favor

Gabreilla Moushigo

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

"You did very well," Reeve said, a bit of pride in his voice. "Only two days – how did you do it?"

He snorted, he would say that he could've done it in one, but then Tifa might feel slighted. With a little practice she would be of more help, but right now she was his fledgling. She needed encouragement, not his sharp tongue. "Luck, I guess."

"Well, hopefully that was all." Reeve was sitting across from them for the time being, but looked like he was going to get up after he was finished talking. "It's my fault entirely, I just assumed that we had gotten the rest of them. I believed that even if any of the Deepground soldiers did survive, that they would have abandoned the building."

"It's not your fault Reeve," Tifa said sympathetically.

Reeve only smiled at her kind words, "If I had just used a scanner, a few of our crews would be alive now." He got up then, giving them a look that clearly showed his thanks for once again coming to his aid. "I'll just inform home base that you are finished. We need to get down there and clean that place up." Reeve left them to their thoughts.

The ride in Reeve's bumpy transportation vehicle was anything but pleasant especially with the silence. Vincent took the liberty of sitting quite casually, relaxing a bit. Usually missions didn't bother him, he had always been calm. Then again, he never worried before because his life was the only one at stake.

Tifa looked at Vincent a few times… wondering if he was mad at her. He hadn't said a word to her after they left Deepground and the Shinra building. She was sad. Was he mad because she got in the way? He seemed nice enough on the way out here… maybe after she screwed everything up he was having second thoughts. He didn't really need her there anyway, he could figure out how to work that stupid scanner machine… and he definitely didn't need her to haphazardly shoot at enemies.

Why did that have to happen? Why did she have to freeze up that last night before he made love to her? Why did Cloud even visit at all? It wasn't fair. She never had so many regrets dog her at once.

They were going home now. She thought that she would feel relieved, but instead she just felt anxious about it. She knew why too, that's where it happened. She didn't want to go to that house again, she didn't want to remember. "I don't want to go home." Tifa finally said.

Vincent looked at her, really looked at her. She had that look in her eyes again. He was sharp enough to realize now that their home was a source for her anxiety. He just cursed himself for only just noticing it. Her body was stiffing up as the truck drove onward.

He felt badly for what he did to her. Did he scare her so much that she didn't even want to go back to their house again? "Then let's not go home." Vincent said to her. "Would you like to visit Cid?" Maybe a trip to another continent would help things. He didn't care anymore. If he could help Tifa forget… he would just sell the damn house and start again in Rocket Town. It didn't matter, as long as she was with him.

Then there was that part of him that was still shaken up after she was held up. He wanted to be with her so badly right now. He just wanted to hold her to him. They were in front of Reeve though… he wouldn't do it.

She nodded her head to his earlier question, anywhere but there.

Vincent stood up and walked over to Reeve and poked him.

"Hm?" Reeve looked up. "What is it Vincent?"

"I was wondering if you could do me… a favor."

Vincent looked serious so Reeve didn't try to pester him about any details. "What would you have me do?"

"I want you to arrange for an airship to drop Tifa and myself off at Rocket Town."

Reeve grinned, was that all? "That will be no problem. When we get back to the base I'll have someone fly you out there. Since Cid is in charge of our fleet – airships go to and from there almost every day."

Vincent nodded. "Thanks Reeve."

"Sure thing." Reeve said familiarly.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

They had actually caught an air ship that night by some chance. They had been delayed due to repairs but were fully operational by the time evening set. They had arrived in Rocket Town some time after three in the morning. Cid and Shera, having been informed of their arrival stayed up. Vincent had assured them that they could stay at the inn, not wanting to put them out. Of course Shera would hear none of it. Cid sleepily waved at them as they walked up to the house from the air field. Shera seemed more awake than he and spoke with them briefly. Cid went to bed as Shera showed them the bathroom and their rooms – until Vincent corrected her. They only needed one room. She stared at them for a moment before giving them an "Oh!" of realization.

Tifa threw her backpack on the floor, right next to the door. Vincent didn't stop her as she made her way into the bathroom to take a shower. He invited himself in after a few minutes – wanting to just get it over with. She complied with his wishes. They took turns underneath the steaming water. In an act of intimacy, he washed her hair for her. Then she did the same for him to his delight. He had much less of it than she, but it was nice none the less.

They went to bed together quickly, but he still couldn't sleep. His mind was still wound up from the day's events. She slept on her familiar part of the bed, to his left.

Tifa had a sixth sense about it. She could tell Vincent was staring at the back of her head with those eyes of his. Being away from the house like this… was nice. She had felt the stress of being there leave her body since Vincent said they could come. It was almost gone now. She sighed, there was no point in acting this way still… especially when she didn't feel upset anymore.

His eyes widened a little as she turned over to face him, scooting closer until she was within reach. Vincent took the opportunity to pull her the rest of the way to him, cradling her closely. A small smile formed on his lips. This was a good choice. It was good to hold her, if nothing more to reassure himself of her presence. At least he could save one woman he cared about. He closed his eyes, ready to sleep.

Tifa sighed for the second time that night. She wanted to find out if it was ok now. Since she left the house she had felt more at ease. She tentatively put her lips to his neck, kissing it, then again, before nipping at him.

Vincent was completely awake now. He lowered his head to kiss her. When he drew back he noticed that she had exposed her throat to him and he took advantage of it. Making to sure to be cautious, he bit at her neck lightly. He wanted to work her up enough before moving over her, holding his weight up on his elbows.

This was nice; she opened her eyes every so often to look up at him. When he saw her stare he brought his lips down on hers again. His eyes were opened the whole time, looking into hers. The intensity she saw in them made her feel weak. Why had she denied herself this for so long again? She moaned in her throat as he tilted her head back and ravaged her mouth. Tifa's arms were around him, her hips pushed into his in involuntarily short thrusts.

She was excited tonight it seemed. He praised his good fortune as his hand slowly made its way down to her chest. He made sure to watch her for any unfavorable reaction. There was none, so he caressed her. It crossed his mind finally, to ask. "Tifa?" He released her mouth for a moment.

"Hm?" She looked up at him with a dazed expression.

"Let me…" He hoped that he chose the right words. "Let me touch you… and taste you, like the first time in my bed."

Tifa remembered the night in question quite well, it was followed by many other passionate nights. It brought a flush to her cheeks just thinking about it. She just wondered why he even asked. It was strange. He usually just did what he pleased, knowing exactly what to do to excite her.

Vincent's lips went to her neck, biting down gently and he waited. A soft sigh escaped from her. He bit down a little harder and a moan erupted from her throat. He closed his eyes, missing that sound.

"Okay." Tifa finally said in a breathy whisper. She somehow didn't think that the word expressed how she truly felt. It seemed shallow, hollow.

But it didn't sound that way to him. He wasn't going to waste his time with fleeting touches tonight. He was going to show her how much he loved her with his mouth and hands. When he was finished with her he would torment her tomorrow with promises of them finally being together. He wouldn't take her tonight… he could show her how patient he could be.

By the time his fingers and mouth made their way between her legs she writhed, his name never far from her lips. "Vincent…" Tonight, that moan would be one of many.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Author's Notes (that have nothing to do with the story):

Holy crap! I thought I lost this chapter for a moment – I think I even began sweating! I just looked at the chapter beyond this one and wondered "Hey… why is that happening? Didn't I write something between it?" Yup… sure enough this was missing.

For some reason Loz keeps coming up to my mind now (thanks Vinny – just messing). I finally realized why thinking of him bugged me though. Have you ever seen one of those vintage Coke plates? The one with that weird looking elf thing that has white swirly hair? Oh yeah… Loz. I can see him floating in midair telling people to "Drink Coke!" and looking a touch less scary than the original elf that did it.

He also reminds me of a demonic Keebler elf… making his chocolate chip cookies of darkness. (I think I had too much coffee this morning).

Strangely enough – he also reminds me of my husband (I talk about him a lot don't I?) He's definitely a big guy with a strong look to him… but I think it's the personality really… and the things he says. My husband is a total mama's boy… not to mention he says the word "Meanie!" I could die when he says that! Hehe! If we ever go to an Anime con or whatever – I'll buy him a leather suit and bleach his hair white with a swirly look. He'll just have to act like himself: perfect!

On to the Reviews:

Leo Barton: I had mixed feelings about Dirge. I really liked the movies – they were absolutely beautiful! I also liked that Vincent finally was getting over all that crap… but I think I would have actually liked to see him be happy with his friends at the end. It's sort of like working your way up to the good part only for it to be left off at that… you don't get to see the happy ending. I suppose it might have spoiled the "gloomy mood" though. I also loved the characters – very beautiful. Story line was great.

As far as game play went – I'm not great at shooting games. Devil May Cry and Metal Gear Solid have usually been left to my husband or brothers (I usually watch). My strong point is strategy games. If my brother played one - he used to like to have me around when he couldn't figure things out… I was good at finding things he couldn't see… or figuring out patterns.

That being said – I had a really hard time playing it. I had to be on normal mode of course (which was like easy – haha). Even though it was kinda fun when I got the hang of it… it was just a bit boring after a while. It wouldn't have killed them to put a mini game in there somewhere or do something to break up the monotony. It was a short game though – so it didn't get too old too fast. It's just when my honey and I had to go through it again to get the files – it started wearing on me. Good game though – I wasn't disappointed really and if I were better at shooting games I would have liked it even more.

Vinny the Vampire: Yeah, I was thinking that they were being more loving too. They are completely upstaging the main characters! I guess I'll just have to fix that – mwa ha ha! I keep changing my mind about how I want Nero and Weiss to interact with these two – I know what I want to do in the end… but their roles keep changing in the middle and I keep trying to figure out what Ishould. Things are slowing down a bit because I'm writing the story in two different ways right now… to see how it would play out.

Jen: Really? I didn't remember Nero calling Vincent that (my honey liked to talk during the cut scenes so I missed some finer details). Although I swore to God they were going to reveal him as his brother or something. They look startling alike. I think Hojo told Nero to get out of Weiss' body because it had to be kept free from Jenova contamination. That's why I thought about the Seph clones.

Jen: Yup, Weiss is a bit of a jerk. I think I'm going to have fun playing around with that later. It would be kind of funny if Nero did do that (join Reeve)… he'd be much better off working for the WRO. Plus, I think they could use someone who was horribly powerful on their side anyway. Sure, they have Yuffie and Reeve but they are pretty ordinary in the strength department.

You're welcome about the reviews – I don't really like when people ask for that kind of thing. It's like… ok… I can post a review… but they is only so much I can do to reach the goal. Luckily there were few stories I was willing to do that for, but sometimes I find one I like and they ask for some crazy amount and I'm like: How are we going to do that?

Plus, I'm lazy and I don't want to type in 20 replies hehe. I'm a bit long winded as you can tell.

Daylo: Yup, I am going to slow down eventually. I swore that I had already waited two days… and yet I am here again posting already. I really need to listen to myself more often! (punches herself) It's just something about getting these things up as quickly as possible. Part of me wants to pace myself and the other part wants to type as fast as I can just in case my inspiration decides to leave or in case writer's block occurs. Neep!

I'm glad a few of you are feeling sympathy for Nero – mission accomplished. He really is underappreciated and needs a little love. The flan – I don't know why I made him make flan… but I thought it would be neat if he tried.

You can make flan easily? I think it's because I try to make it from scratch… because I usually screw it up… royally. I think if my food had a way to speak sometimes it would say "WHY? WHYYYYY? Kill me now!" because it is so disfigured. But it always tastes good (go me). I just can't make anything look pretty.

If I think about it – I let Nero take after me as far as cooking goes. I can make some good stuff (like I said – nothing pretty) but if I'm mad I get distracted… and bad things happen. I've never put dish soap in as a flavor… but I did once think that corn syrup would be a great vegetable oil substitute… those brownies tasted pretty horrible. (ok… one thing didn't taste good – I was like… 10! Ok… maybe 17… maybe 20… crap).

Motchi: Nice to see you! (Love your stories so very much). Thanks for the compliments and constructive comments. When I started out with this fiction I hadn't planned on making bad guys – which is why Nero and Weiss seem to be popping out of the wood works so suddenly. I realized that I wanted a bad guy there other than Cloud - I guess I didn't want it to turn into a he's the real bad guy and we're going to hunt him down and shoot him like a dog. I saw it going in that direction once Vincent found out. I think during chapter eleven I started considering Nero and Weiss coming back – but I couldn't find a better time for them to return until they came.

I'm going to have to slow it down soon as you said – I swear it's so hard to do it though. I just feel the inspiration and I want to write and post as quickly as possible. I love reading the reviews – but I enjoy it when they aren't forced either. I'm really glad there is another author out there that doesn't like ransoming their chapters (it's annoying as heck). I feel guilty holding back as much as I have – but as I said before – it's mostly because I don't want to run out of material too quickly. I think after today (even though I've probably said this for the millionth time – I'm probably going to slow it down). I think it's going to be me forcing myself to hold off for a few days or so until I post again. At least I won't be posting three chapters a day anymore hehe.

Thanks for all the reviews guys! See you in a few days!