Greasy walked along the sidewalk in a casual manner. He stopped underneath a street lamp and lit a cigarette. He looked up at the stars. After he finished his cigarette, he threw it to the ground and stubbed it out with his heel. Greasy started walking again. As he passed a darkened alley he was pulled in. He didn't even get a chance to yell for help before he lost consciousness.

-VV-

Shera hurried into the hospital and went to the front desk. She barely let the desk technician finish giving directions before rushing through the swinging doors and down the hall. She just made it into the elevator doors before they closed. She pushed the button for the third floor with impatience. As soon as the doors opened she headed in the correct direction. She found the correct room and entered.

"Oh, Cid!" She rushed at the man on the hospital bed and collapsed on him, embracing him her arms.

"&#$ Shera!" He tried to push the woman away, but she clung tighter as tears ran down her cheeks.

Cough, Cough Shera and Cid looked at Cloud. "I'm going to get something to drink. Anything?" They shook their heads and he left.

"Cid!" She buried her head in his chest. "I was so worried when Tifa called."

Cid sighed but gently held the crying female in his arms. She always seemed to piss him off somehow. But…it was kinda nice. At least she knew how to make tea properly and could fix her clogged sinks and not need him. Yah, she had a good head on her shoulders.

"Shera…" a loud sob, "Shera…$#& Shera, yer getting' me all wet."

Shera pulled back and brushed at her eyes. "Sorry."

"Don't apologize."

"It's just…"

"Yah, I know. Come here." She lay down in his outstretched arms. He pulled her close and held her tight. "It'll be alright." A kiss to the top of her head and they soon fell asleep.

Cloud came back a few minutes later with a cola in his hand. He smiled when he saw them and walked back out. Deciding to check up with his own girl, he headed home.

-VV-

Barrett paced around in Tifa's closed bar. His Marlene was gone! Whoever had taken her would be punished. "Argh!!" He slammed his fist into a nearby table. "They're gonna pay!"

"Barret! Don't break my tables! Please calm down."

"How?! They took Marlene!"

"And Denzel! Do you think your're the only one suffering? How do you think Cloud and I feel? We should have been here! It's our fault!"

"No!" His eyes raged. "It's Cid's! He should have-"

"You're both wrong." They looked at Cloud who had just entered the room. "I talked to Cid about what happened. Apparently, Vincent's little night job has finally had some consequences."

"This is Vamp's fault? #$& $!# &!" He kicked a chair over.

"Barret Wallace!" He paid her no mind and punched a nearby table again. "Break something and I swear!"

Barret still ignored her and rounded on Cloud. "Where is he?" Cloud shrugged so Barret grabbed him by the collar and pulled him forward. "Where is that pale freak?!"

Cloud pushed him away. "Who knows?"

Tifa stood in front of Barret, hands on hips. "Don't even think on taking your frustrations out on Vincent. He was only helping people out of a bad place."

"And this is what happens! Damn fool!"

"Barret Wallace," a calm voice said. They all turned to look at Shelke. "Don't be angry. Vincent Valentine will fix everything. You will see." She walked over to a bar stool and climbed on top. She swiveled around so that she was facing them. "Do you not agree Cloud Strife?"

"He can take care of himself. I wouldn't worry."

Tifa looked at Cloud. "What should we do?" She hugged herself.

Cloud looked away. He tried to push his emotions aside. "We should find the man responsible. I'm sure the kids are with him. And keep together. What happened to Cid could happen again. The next person may not be so lucky." "$that &$! I'm gonna find Marlene. He pushed past Cloud.

Cloud called after Barret, "Wait! Barret, stop!" But the man was gone.

Tifa placed her hand on Cloud's shoulder. He pulled her into a supportive hug. "Cloud, I'm so scared. Even facing Sephiroth wasn't this bad."

Shelke swung her legs back and forth. "Headstrong."

Tifa pulled out Clouds cell phone. "Yuffie went for a 'walk'. Better tell her to look out for Barret." She dialed and waited for Yuffie to answer. "Hello?….umm'…(yak yak yak, she tells Yuffie what happened)…be careful okay?" She clicked the phone shut and put it back in Cloud's pocket who looked at her quizzically because she had whispered the entire conversation. "I think she's playing ninja… or getting in trouble."

"Or both"

"You think Shera's safe?"

"Yah, the hospitals got a guard on duty most of the time."

"When are visiting hours over?"

"I don't know."

"We should pick her up."

"Couldn't you have just asked instead of playing twenty questions?"

"Nope. Let's go. Shelke, coming?" She nodded her head and followed them out.

-VV-

Fixed version