Chapter 8: - Silent night.

Tifa's hand pushed aside Vincent's ebony hair and slipped under his red headband, pressing against his sweat-drenched forehead.

"His fever is getting worse," she stated and spun around to Cid, "could you get us a bowl of water and a cloth?"

Cid nodded slowly, still in shock.

"And remember not to tell anyone about this. It's best if we don't tell anyone…yet." Cloud added. Cid nodded again and headed for the door, opening it and shut it quietly behind him. He leant against it for a moment while wiping away the beads of sweat that dripped down his face.

"&#$#!" He cursed under his breath in frustration. When he found himself ready, he headed for the kitchen, trying to avoid contact with the rest of Avalanche.

"Geostigma…" He thought, "of all the diseases in the world, it had to be geo-f333in'-stigma!"

HE turned on a cold tap and placed a bowl under the running water. While waiting for it to fill he searched through the cupboards for a suitable cloth and upon returning...

"GAAH!" He yelled in surprise, seeing Yuffie pop out of seemingly nowhere.

"Watcha doin'?" She asked curiously, tilting her head slightly to one side.

"None of ya' business! Get outta here!" Cid snapped.

"You look pale."

"Don't care! Get lost!"

"Why are you pale? Are you airsick?"

"No!"

"I am." She said, doubling over and clutching her stomach, feeling queasy. Cid rolled his eyes.

"Good! Get lost!" He repeated, pushing past her. He turned off the tap and, noticing the bowl was a little too full, tipped it on angle to let some water slip of the edges. He began to walk back to Vincent's room carefully so as not to spill the water, but stopped.

"Tell Reeve to ring the hospital and make sure a group 'o' doctors are ready as soon as we get there," He ordered and started walking again, "WE haven't got any time to waste!"

She stood there for a moment, wondering what Cid was up to, but shrugged that thought away and ran off to tell Reeve.

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When Cid returned to Vincent's room. Cloud was pouring the last half of his remaining potion into a cup. With some help from Tifa, he propped Vincent up into a sitting position. He removed the oxygen mask and slowly tipped the liquid into Vincent's mouth, which swallowed reflexively. Then they laid him back down to rest. He seemed to be breathing fairly well so they left the mask off to save the oxygen until he needed it again. Cid placed the bowl on the desk close to his bed. Tifa thanked him and wet the cloth. After ringing it out so that it was only damp, she removed Vincent's headband and pressed the cool cloth against his burning forehead.

"How long do you think he has?" " Cid asked, breaking the silence. Another silence followed as Cloud thought.

"Maybe 8 days at the most." He answered dully, wishing there was more time. Cid winced. Vincent couldn't die. Not after all they've been through. But there was no known cure for the stigma besides that strange rain. Suddenly, there was a stir from Vincent as the effects of the potion took place. The cub's ears pointed up at the sound of movement. Cid moved closer to the bed, eager to see if Vincent was awake or if it was just unconscious movement. But a pained moan and the slightest of crimson showing from underneath heavy eyelids told him otherwise. He coughed several times, eventually bringing up blood and leaving a trickle running from his mouth. Tifa wiped it away, alerting Vincent of their presence.

"W-what… .:cough:. … what a-re you… .:cough cough:. …do-ing? "He asked weakly, his voice was straining and his strength was failing from the lack of blood.

"Your sick and injured, Vincent. Don't use up your strength in speaking." She answered softly. He was barely able to keep his eyes open so he shut them.

"D-don't…pl-ay…g-ames…T-Tifa. Ha-have…to…stop…s-seph-i-roth…" And with that, he lost consciousness again. Cid choked. He didn't want to believe that he was one of the main causes of Vincent being in the state, the other being that damn stigma.

"I guess he hadn't regain consciousness after all. He was just delirious." Cloud concluded. The cub whimpered in disappointment and concern. He tried licking Vincent's face again, but to no avail.

"He's not gonna die, is he?" Cid blurted out in a small voice. He only half realised what he had just said. Cloud stared at the t pilot for a moment, surprised slightly at his sudden concern. But he didn't answer, nor did Tifa.

"I think I need a cigarette." Cid said, leaving the room and practically running to the outer deck, desperate to escape the horrifying scene behind him. He stopped on the deck and caught his breath while the cool air caressed his face. Finally calming down, he moved to the rails. As soon as he touched then, he imagined what Cloud must've felt, seeing Vincent jump overboard right in front of him and plummet to the ground, disappearing in the trees. He wasn't there when it happened, but he could feel the anguish and fear that Cloud felt at that time. His thoughts steadily grew heavier and heavier until Cid finally decided to drown them out with a cigarette. He fumbled with the small white stick and his lighter while his hands trembled from the heart-sinking experience. When a cigarette had been successfully lit, he shoved it in his mouth and took a long drag. But as unwanted thoughts crept back into his mind, moisture began to well up in his eyes and his breath started to quiver. He suddenly burst into tears, drowning himself in uncontrollable sobs.

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Yay! Finally found a way past the writer's block! A short chapter, i know, but there'll be more! I also changed the summery a bit if anyone noticed.

Thanx 4 reviews!