Thank you so much for reviewing! To ... Rabid fangirl ff7, I do know that it was Barret who said that, because the game script I used said so, but it doesn't make sense if Barret just suddenly popped up when Cloud's party consisted of Aeris, and Yuffie. Hmm, I wonder if there's a game script which provides ALL the characters reactions? Wow. And I didn't know about the easy way to beat Lost Number... not mentioned in the walkthrough. And anyway, Ellie's gonna get all her help from Vincent from now on, now that she knows who he is.

My SPM (O-levels) is over, weehehhehheheee

Lost and Found : Chapter 17

Vincent caught Ellie in his arms, relieved at the reaction for now. All was quiet save for the silent whirring of the PlayStation, and Fluffy's soft mewls. Vincent gently lay Ellie down on the couch and waited patiently for her to wake up, wondering how on earth he was going to explain to her. At least she didn't show signs of a fanatic, thought Vincent darkly. Or maybe she hasn't undergone the change yet.

"Now what do I do?" murmured Vincent to himself, settling himself down on the sofa. He fidgeted around the couch, switching his gaze from the clock to Ellie, until finally she stirred and muttered groggily.

"Ellie, are you alright?"

"Ackk!" squeaked Ellie, startled. She shot up immediately, then remembered what had happened, remembered who Vinnie really was.

"Oh my God, you're alive," she breathed. Vincent raised an amused eyebrow at this.

"Technically."

She threw a pillow at him, scowling.

"But how??"

"I don't know. The last thing I remember was sleeping. In my own coffin. Then I woke up in the forest nearby," said Vincent carefully, choosing to keep the existence of the portal secret.

"So ... so you've met Cloud and the others before?" said Ellie, her eyes widening.

"Yes. My companions ... My friends. This game you are playing ... I must admit it gave me a very big shock when I found out. This, is Cloud's story of three years ago."

"Three years?! So that means ... that means, you actually went through all this?" she said, gesturing towards the television where the game was still silent, waiting for confirmation of the X button, for Vincent's next words to pop out.

"I did not go through everything you have seen so far, Ellie. As you now know, you have only just ... found me. I know the events of what happened, but I know not of Cloud's story. So I must thank you, for letting me see through your game ... I have learned more about my companions than I have ever known just by merely asking," said Vincent, giving Ellie a small smile.

"But ... Oh my God, I must be the luckiest girl on earth!" exclaimed Ellie excitedly.

"Yes, I assume so..." said Vincent slowly, backing away slightly, afraid that she might try to jump him or something. Chaos's laughter boomed loudly in his head, making him wince. Ellie noticed, feeling puzzled.

"What's wrong, Vinnie?"

"You... ahm, you... never mind," said Vincent, clearing his throat slightly.

"Vinnie, do you know how many fans you have in this whole WORLD?"

"Actually, I think I have a rough idea when I borrowed your computer that day. That was the reason why I refused to go out and help you buy some groceries ... oh, and I'm not really sick."

Ellie laughed. Vincent smiled at her reaction. Perhaps she has already gotten used to me. The moment was spoiled when a loud noise was heard. Ellie blushed, and said, "Vinnie, I'm hungry ..."

"I'll prepare lunch," he responded, getting up from the couch.

"Prepare lunch? Geez, Vinnie! We already ordered takeaway just now. Where have you been?" said Ellie, laughing again. Vincent sat back down on the couch, flustered. The doorbell sounded, and Ellie jumped up to get it, eager on getting her lunch. Vincent moved to the dining room and prepared the table, waiting for Ellie.

"What did you order, Ellie?"

"Some noodles, and soup ... do you like them?"

"Yes, thank you ... Though I do not eat much."

"Why not? Even when you were with Cloud?"

"Yes," replied Vincent, amused. "Tifa was always trying to force me to eat. But, because of my special ... ah, abilities, my body does not require much food."

"I see... So you mean I've been forcing you to eat all this time?" said Ellie incredulously.

"It is of no matter. I do not care if I have eaten or not," replied Vincent simply.

"So, tell me more about yourself! Your real self!" said Ellie excitedly, chewing on her noodles.

Vincent turned to her with an odd gleam in his eyes.

"You'll find out sooner or later."

"...But can't you tell me now?"

"Why would I spoil it for you? You are, after all, still playing the game."

They ate their food quietly, with Ellie still wondering how on earth a Final Fantasy character had come to life. Or perhaps they really were real? In another world? Who knows, right?

"So, tell me what you think about Cloud!" said Ellie, breaking the silence. Picturing Cloud and Vincent sitting side by side in the buggy, without talking to each other, she giggled.

"Cloud is a wise and strong leader," said Vincent stiffly, caught unawares by the sudden question.

"Oh come on, surely you can do better than that ..."

Vincent shifted uneasily. What does she want me to say? Actually, I've never really thought about them properly.

"You know how he is like," he countered eventually. Ellie rolled her eyes.

"Go on, try talking as if I have never known his character at all before."

"Hmm... He is ... the object of desire of two girls. Tifa and Aeris, of course. Perhaps Yuffie had taken a fancy to him at the beginning, or not, because she was an overly hormonal teenager and was rather ... boisterous and obnoxiously loud. She was the youngest, and probably just had a tiny crush... Cloud doesn't like it when people pick on him of his height. He is rather scrawny, though..." he trailed off, then turn to Ellie, smiling. "I definitely know that, if I were an enemy, Cloud is one person I really would not want to fight."

"Speaking of Tifa and Aeris ... who finally bagged him in the end?" asked Ellie.

Vincent flinched. It was a sensitive topic she had touched upon. Aeris ...

"Who do you think, Ellie? I would like to hear you opinion first," replied Vincent, smirking a little.

"Hmm… Cloud seems like he likes Aeris."

"Ah, but you direct that particular part of the game, isn't it?"

"Yeah … that's true. So who, Vinnie?"

"You'll find out," said Vincent smoothly, successfully closing the topic this time. Ellie shot him a playful glare. Vincent pretended not to notice.

I'm sorry! It's very short ... because I had to leave the game parts for next day ...