Disclaimer: I own nothing. Enough said.

Chapter Ten:

'Beep...beep...beep..' That's all Vincent Valentine woke up to. He was in a hospital, he could tell by the sterile environment. His eyes were droopy, his body was tired and weak. There were wires attached to his arms, as well as under his nose. He was covered in a white blanket, his long black hair falling over his resting shoulders. He opened his eyes more. Everything in the room was white. He saw the image of Cloud Strife standing next to the hospital bed. "Cloud?" he asked tiredly. His voice was weaker than he thought. "Don't talk. You need rest," said Cloud. Vincent shook his head, he didn't understand. "Cloud...What happened?" he asked.

Cloud kneeled by the bed, eye level with Vincent. "I was pretty worried about you all day, you seemed depressed. I tried calling, but there was no answer. And..." It didn't seem like he could continue. Vincent was confused, he couldn't remember anything. Up to Lucrecia confessing all her problems to him, his memories were pretty much wasted. "I came over, and saw you laying lifeless on the bed with three bottles of pills by your side," Cloud finished.

Vincent gasped quietly, causing pain in his stomach. He leaned into his pillow, and sighed. "...Did you say three?" he asked weakily. Cloud nodded. It was then that Vincent saw that there were others in the room. He turned his head slightly, and saw Yuffie, Cid, Barret, and even Reeve was there. "You okay, Vinny?" Yuffie asked, coming over to his side. He didn't even feel like bashing her for calling him 'Vinny'; he was too weak. He tried to sit up in his bed, making sure the pillows still supported him. "I don't remember anything...The pills, the fainting, not anything..." he said, feeling hopeless.

Cid walked over to him. "You'll be alright, ol' pal. Why'd you have to overdose like that? You could've had a heartattack, if not give us one!" said Cid. Vincent sighed, resting his head on the pillows. "I don't know why..." he said. Just then, the nurse came in. She was wearing white, also. 'A very sterile color..'

"I'm sorry, but he needs his rest now," said the nurse. She was holding a needle in her hand, making Vincent cringe inside. Everyone turned and walked to the door. "We'll be back later Vincent, alright?" Reeve said, turning back. Vincent nodded slightly. 'He actually called me Vincent...' They all walked out. A few moments after they did, someone else came to the door, asking the nurse if she could allow one more visitor. Vincent recognized the voice.

He knew that voice. The nurse nodded. "You have 15 minutes," she said. Then, Vincent saw Lucrecia come in. His insides flopped. "Lucrecia?" he asked. Her eyes filled with sorrow. "Hi, Vincent..." she said, walking over to the side of his bed, sitting by him on a chair. "How are you feeling?" she asked.

"Lucrecia, you shouldn't be here. What did you tell Hojo?" Vincent asked, moving his hand to her slightly. She shook her head. She didn't want to go there. "It doesn't matter about Hojo. I don't care...All I care about is knowing that you're gonna be okay," she said. Vincent's heart swam. He didn't know what he was feeling, but he loved her. He loved her so much at that moment. He closed his eyes, turning his head away. He hated himself right then, too.

"Vincent...How could you do that to yourself? What was going through your head?" she asked. Vincent could hear the disappointment in her voice. He shook his head slightly. "I-I...I don't know..." he said.

"Vincent, when I got that call from Cloud, I was scared! I was really, really scared! I mean, you're my friend, and friends have to look after each other, right?" At that moment, she gently took his hand. Vincent's heart stopped. That was the touch he had anticipated for so long. Feeling her warm skin against his own, warming his what seemed like cold blood, was like having the world to him. It seemed like all that nonsense about work, his apartments, not having enough money to buy drugs-it all went away. This was the first time he had felt...happy.

"Yeah..You're right.." he said, looking back at her. She smiled slightly, and lowered her head. She sighed. "Vincent...I don't want you to die," she said. "Mmm..." he said, nodding slightly in a agreement. He hated himself for putting his friends through that much trauma, all over him. And he thought he was worthless..

"I know about the drugs, the drinking, everything. Vincent, if you keep doing this to yourself, you may not come back next time! And I'm scared of that! I don't want you to die!" she continued, tears beginning to form. All he could do was nod. He was ashamed. "I know.." he said. She sighed, grasping tighter to his hand. "Vincent, please...I don't want you to ever do this to yourself again, okay? Please, you have to promise me.." she said.

Vincent didn't know. He'd been caught up in this whole world that evolved around drugs, drinking, self destruction...He didn't know if he could recover! But he would try. He wanted to live, for his friends, for his father's wishes, for Lucrecia...

"I'm so sorry, Lucrecia. It's so hard.." he said.

"Don't worry, I'll be here with you. We'll get through together, okay?" He looked into his eyes. She smiled, tears falling down her face. He held her hand tighter, admiring her for being there for him. She was so strong. "As soon as I recover, let's talk about...Hojo," said Vincent, smirking. Lucrecia smiled slightly, rubbing the back of his hand with her thumb. He laid in his bed, gazing at Lucrecia, until the nurse came in telling Lucrecia she had to leave. She got up, releasing his hand. Vincent's hand instantly fell cold. "I'll be back later, okay?" she said, looking back at him. Vincent nodded. She smiled and walked out the door.

Alone again...