6- Guardian Angels

Since the declaration of the wedding Grimoire had ensured it was nigh impossible for Cid to get anywhere near Vincent. Secret late night meetings on the Gelnika had stopped altogether and now was a vital moment. It would mean nothing to escape if the main piece of Cid's plan wasn't aware of the plan. The pilot had worked nonstop to repair the Bronco before the ceremony, either Lev was always by his side or someone was around Vincent. It frustrated Cid to no end but someone was looking out for him up above. He had the best damn guardian angel a man could ever ask for. Shera slipped into Lucrecia's room that evening after dinner, making sure there were no eavesdroppers. A leak to the fathers would ruin everything.

"Shera," Anxiety was written all over her face, "is something wrong?"

"Lucrecia, listen to me." She sat down on the bed, whispering quickly. "We're going to Midgar."

"WHAT!?" Shera clapped a hand over her mouth, heart racing in her throat. Her nerves wrun tight and refused to ease, alert to the slightest creak in the walls. She let out a long sigh, trying to relax. Well, that didn't work either. Best just be quick about this.

"Listen..." she slowly removed her hand, "Cidney is in the process of repairing the Tiny Bronco. Once the repairs are finished we're leaving for Midgar."

"Midgar..." Lucrecia shook her head. That was a long ways away and a bad place for four teens to be running without a clue in the world. Yet the notion of freedom was far too inviting to produce protest. "Why there?"

"Because-" Shera froze, the door swinging open behind them. Levian came in with a tray of tea setting them between the girls. Lucrecia gave a sweet smile trying to distract him from Shera.

Thank you so much, Captain Highwind. Your tea is always so wonderful." she carefully sipped the steaming tea.

"Thank ya. It's my wife's recipe."

"She must have been an amazing woman, you obviously loved her very much." Small talk wouldn't last forever. Lucrecia wished he would hurry up and leave, even she was starting to get anxious.

"She was indeed." Lev's brows furrowed, lookign down at Shera. "What's wrong girl? Ye're lookin' more prickly than a cactuar."

"It's nothing." Shera waved it off drinking the tea. "I guess I'm just tired." Lev nodded and took his leave, the two waiting for the footsteps to fade.

Levian Highwind was no stranger to teenagers and their hair-brained tactics. He'd been one at one time after all and if his son was anything like him then Lev was in for a challenge. Going bare-foot back down the hall he crept up carefully and pushed an ear to the bedroom door. The damned thing creaked and whatever the girlrs were saying stopped. Lev waited patiently and they began talking again. His hearing had deteriorated with age and the exposure to airship engines but he could still catch a stray word. Midgar. Escape. Bronco. That was all he needed to hear, it didn't take a genius to piece the puzzle together. So they were planning on leaving to Midgar, were they? If they made it to the metropolis they would never be found again. He'd be DAMNED if these kids thought they could get away with this.

Stealing away to the living room Lev threw Vincent down onto the couch next to his father and stood to block his escape. Grimoire was just as confused as his son, Lev had a temper but not without reason. The old man eased his bewildered son before turning to pacify his friend. Something was afoot.

"Lev, what is wrong?" He didn't move, leaving Vincent trapped to hear his accusation. Lev seized a handful of jet black hair, jerking Vincent's head up to face him.

"Did you think you could get away with this?" Levian purred. Vincent struggled against the vicegrip, wiping salty spit and tobacco off his face.

"Just what are you talking about, Levian?" Grimoire stepped between them forcing the pilot to relinquish his son's hair. Vincent rubbed his sore head scrambling to understand the man's hostility. The night he kissed Cid? They'd barely touched...

"Planning to jump ship for Midgar, Vincent?"

"Midgar?!" Vincent stared dumbstruck. "I know nothing!" So.. that's what Cid was planning?

"Levian." Grimoire spoke soft trying to quell the blonde's temper. "Where did you hear this?"

"I overheard the girls speaking of it." Levian glared daggers at the cowering teen on the couch. Any security Vincent sought in his father disappeared. Grimoire cross his arms and regarded Vincent dangerously, daring the boy to deny anything about a plan he knew absolutely nothing about.

"Vincent!"

"I don't know anything!" Grimoire's hand cracked across the boy's cheek hard, tinting the stinging skin a soft pink.

"Do not lie to me boy!" Grimoire seized Vincent's shoulders roughly shaking him. "I WILL NOT let you dishonor this family's name again!"

"FATHER I SWEAR! I know nothing, I have never lied to you before! I did not deny I loved Sephiroth and you still murdered him! And I shan't deny it now, I love Cidney Highwind! ARE YOU GOING TO KILL HIM TOO!?" All the anger and regret Vincent had wallowed in, the grief he'd had for not stopping his father. Holding Sephiroth's cold corpse in his arms. Weeping into the silver hair surrounded in the scent of his beloved. All the times he'd swore he'd never let this happen again. He would never let anyone else he loved face that fate.

Yanking Vincent to his feet Grimoire forced the boy upstairs and threw him into the first room he came to, slamming and locking the door. Vincent threw himself into the door, pounding on it pleading to be let out. No.. no he couldn't let this happen again. Not to Cid too.. No.. He had to do something, he couldn't be accountable for yet another murder. He couldn't take anymore blood staining these pampered, dirty hands. He had to do something.. Anything...

Below the door slammed. Vincent flew to the window and flung it open searching for Cid. Cidney was working on the Bronco and Grimoire was coming closer, holding the cold steel of a pistol in his hands. The man never went anywhere unarmed. No.. Please no.. Vincent pulled the angel wing from his pocket, holding it against his chest. No.. Not Cid too.. The gun raised, the faint click of it cocking breaking the words he couldn't quite understand. Cid was herded back against the Bronco, arms up in submission. No.. Not again..

He closed his eyes and called to for the heavens to send him an angel..