As The Smoke Clears

Disclaimer: Don't make me say it! (arm is twisted) Alright I don't own any of the characters! (kicks man in groin) But that doesn't mean I can't play with them :D

Pairings: Vincent/Tifa, possibly others

Warnings: swearing and other explicit content in later chapters, sex, drunkenness, drunken sex etc.

A/N: Again, please let me know if anything doesn't seem right or is just wrong. This chapter is mostly Vincent with a little Cloud, and is regrettably a little short. (apologises and hangs head in shame)

Thank you to those that reviewed the last chapter! Cookies for you :D Please enjoy!

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Chapter 3.

Vincent carried the unconscious Tifa carefully up to her room and lay her down on the bed. He had no idea what had prompted that reaction from her. It confused him. He raised an eyebrow at Cloud, who was standing in the doorway. He just shook his head sadly and went back downstairs. Vincent gave Tifa one last glance before following Cloud.

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Cloud looked at Vincent over the rim of his mug of coffee. The gunman looked a little tired and travel worn, but other than that, he hadn't changed since the last time he saw him. It was strange, as though he had expected him to look different in some way. Something to indicate what he had been through, but there was nothing. He looked the same as always.

Vincent bore his scrutiny without a word, allowing the quiet blonde to give him a once over as he waited for the inevitable bombardment of questions. What happened? Where have you been? Why didn't you come home sooner?

"Glad to have you back."

"What?"

That wasn't what he was expecting at all.

Cloud looked at him, slightly amused. "I said, it's good to have you back."

"Oh," Vincent wasn't sure what to say, so he settled with a simple "Thanks."

No questions?

Not even a 'How've you been?'

Cloud chuckled.

"Vincent," he said, with obvious mirth, "I'll leave the questions to Tifa. She's been…" He trailed off, looking thoughtful.

"I think its fairly obvious how she's been." He muttered, gesturing vaguely in the direction of the stairs.

Vincent nodded absently, still puzzled over her strange reaction. He would have expected to be bombarded with questions, even a hug would have been less surprising, but fainting? That was definitely unexpected.

"Anyway, you look exhausted. Try and get some sleep."

Vincent looked up at Cloud, nodding silently.

"Your room is still there, nothing has been touched. Good night, Vincent."

"Thank you, Cloud. Good night."

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Vincent stood at the closed balcony door, watching the rain beat heavily down on the quiet street below. Except for the occasional shadow of a person hurrying to one of the buildings, no one was around. Not that he blamed them. The weather was positively horrible.

Changing out of his wet clothes, he put on the spare clothes he kept there and laid the others out to dry, before reclining on the bed and resuming his thoughts.

He was back in Midgar.

He was still alive.

'Of course you're still alive!'

Chaos was still inside him.

'Aww, wanted to get rid of me, huh?'

'Obviously.'

'I'm not that easy to be rid of.'

'So I've noticed.'

'So cold, Valentine. I'm hurt.'

'Humph.'

'Wow. Nice comeback.'

'…'

'Alright, have it your way then.'

Vincent wasn't in the mood for Chaos' comments right now. He ignored the daemon and settled back on the bed, his thoughts turning to Tifa.

'Why did she faint?'

'Clearly you frighten her.'

Damn Chaos!

'She's never fainted because of me before.'

'Clearly you've changed, or it's something only she can see.'

'She's not insane.'

'you can talk, Mister I hear voices.'

'I only hear one voice thank you.'

'Doesn't change the face that you're hearing voices.'

'Leave me with my thoughts Chaos.'

'Fine. Figure it out on your own then.'

'I will.'

Chaos' laugh reverberated in his mind.

'Sure you will.'

Thoroughly mystified, and now annoyed, Vincent Valentine closed his eyes and welcomed the oblivion that came with sleep.

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A/N: Well now. I know it says that Chaos returned to the planet at the end of the game, but for the sake of this story, and the fact that I love Chaos, he is still inside Vincent for this. And still giving him trouble. XD

Tifa is due to wake up don't you think? Hmm, I wonder how she will react to waking up to Vincent's lovely face…he he he! XD

Hope this was enjoyed. Please R&R don't let me starve :(