The party stood aboard the deck of the Highwind, bearing sombre expressions. The time had come to descend into the Northern Cave, to find Sephiroth and defeat him once and for all. Meteor loomed in the distance, dominating much of the horizon, casting an eerie red glow into the sky.

They were currently listening to a crackling transmission coming from the robotic cat, Cait Sith, who had turned out to be a Shinra spy. Revealed to be acting through Reeve Tuesti, head of Midgar's Urban Development, Cait Sith (or rather, Reeve) now let the party listen in on Shinra's important meetings, thus learning their plans.

Cait Sith stopped the transmission after a few minutes. "Reeve's evacuating the people of the slums onto the plate. Meteor's gonna hit Midgar like a million tons of bricks; they need to be as safe as possible."

"Hmmm..." Cid puffed on his ever-existent cigarette. "It might be dangerous to have us all goin' in the cave. Why don't a few of us stay behind and help out in Midgar? Might look good for us, ya know!"

"It's not a bad idea, admittedly," Cloud agreed, nodding. "However, is anyone prepared to stay behind? It could be just as dangerous as coming with us, if not more."

Vincent looked sideways at Yuffie, who stood with her arms folded, her pretty face betraying no fear. She had become much braver and stronger with their travels, even maturing a little and leaving most of the party's Materia alone. Of course, she always left Vincent's.

"I got shit to settle!" Barret said. "I'm goin' with Cloud."

"Me too," Tifa said. "Midgar holds nothing for me now."

"I would be no use in the evacuations," Nanaki murmured.

Vincent sighed, and took Yuffie into his arms. "We'll go, Yuffie and I," he told the party, kissing his girlfriend's brow.

She gazed at him, wide-eyed. "Are you sure, Vince? Really sure?"

He nodded. "I cannot bring myself to harm the son of Lucrecia, however much damage and pain he has brought to many. Forgive my cowardly actions, all of you..."

To his surprise, they all seemed to understand. Cid laughed, stubbing out his cigarette. "In that case, we'll give him an extra ass-kicking, courtesy of the lovebirds!"

"Hit him hard for me!" Yuffie grinned. She hugged Vincent round the middle, nuzzling him affectionately. "I'd be no use down there anyway," she told him. "I might as well go with you. If we die together, at least we won't be alone."

"We will not die," Vincent murmured. "I will protect you, little rose. I promise."

The party watched the loving scene before them. Tifa smiled, going a little misty-eyed. "It shouldn't be cute, but it is, don't you think?" she whispered, nudging Cloud.

"To be honest, I never see them show any affection towards each other that much. It's only when they're alone," Cloud replied. "Of all the people to put together though..."

"I heard that!" Yuffie and Vincent snapped.

Despite all her apparent bravery, Yuffie still shed tears when the party bid their farewells, and she had to be calmed down by Vincent for fear she would enter a hysterical stage. "We might never see them again!" she wailed into Vincent's chest.

"Hush, little rose," he said softly. "You underestimate them."

"Vince..."

"Hush...you must be strong, for all our sakes. Even mine."

Yuffie looked up at the gunman with brimming eyes and wet cheeks. "But you never get scared..."

"Sometimes it is our fear that drives us. Even I have times when I become frightened."

"Are you frightened now?"

"A little. And it will push me to help these people. Now come. We must hurry. Meteor may descend very soon." Releasing Yuffie, they headed off to where they could hear orders being shouted. Yuffie clung to his hand nervously.

Shinra soldiers were busy moving citizens from one area to the other, and so many conversations flew back and forth that it took Vincent some time to rouse the attention of one officer. "Something wrong?" the officer asked.

"Where can I find Reeve?" Vincent asked. "We've come to assist in the evacuations."

"Oh! Reeve's that way. See him, with the black goatee?" He pointed to his left. "That's him there."

"Thank you." Vincent took Yuffie's hand again and headed over to where Reeve Tuesti was conversing with another officer. He stood tall, and looked respectable in his blue suit (admittedly, it was now a little scuffed from the efforts of evacuation). For a Shinra crony, he seems a good man, Vincent thought, striding over and waiting for him to finish his conversation.

A few minutes went by. Then Reeve turned and saw the gunman and ninja, looking very out of place with their surroundings. "Can I help you?" he asked.

"You're Reeve Tuesti?"

"I am."

"We're from AVALANCHE. Cloud wishes us to assist in the evacuation efforts."

"And where is Cloud now?"

"Flying towards the Northern Cave, making his way towards Sephiroth. We were the only two to stay behind." Vincent squeezed Yuffie's hand. "You desire proof of who we are?"

"No, no." Reeve shook his head. "I do believe I've heard your voice on transmissions from Cait Sith before. I would be grateful if I knew your names, however."

"Vincent Valentine, formerly of the Turks. This is Yuffie Kisaragi, princess of Wutai."

"Hi, nice to meet you," Yuffie smiled.

"The very same to the both of you," Reeve replied, inclining his head. "We're grateful that you've come to help us. The situation is dire at present; many are too frightened to move, and others are too proud to leave their homes and move somewhere safe. The WEAPON's attack on Shinra Headquarters cost us a good many men, and the President himself is feared dead; the upper floors were decimated. To top it off, Hojo's foolishness with the Mako cannon caused millions of gil's worth of damage to the surrounding areas. More volunteers were desperately needed. I thank you for offering to remain behind."

"Where do we start?"

"Speak to the general over there." Reeve indicated. "He'll provide you with any necessities such as walkie-talkies, armour and the like, if you need it. There are maps to show where to move evacuees to. Again, speaking for all of Midgar, thank you for helping us. We do not deserve the assistance, least of all from AVALANCHE, but-"

"Enough," Vincent said, holding up a hand (Yuffie stared at him, open mouthed at his apparent rudeness). "Forgive me, but we must get to work. And I'm sure you yourself have other things to do."

Reeve looked a little flustered at this. "I...yes. Yes, you're right. Very well. I wish you good luck."

Yuffie was put in charge of monitoring the flow of evacuees from Sector 1, and also oversaw the removal and treatment of the injured from WEAPON's attack. Given a handheld computer scanner that allowed her to pick up traces of life, she ran back and forth, inspecting every nook and cranny.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the Plate, Vincent stared up at the Mako cannon coldly. Something about it was not right; he was sure there was someone still up there, and not for a good reason.

Suddenly, Yuffie's voice crackled through a walkie-talkie. "We're clear over here, Vince. How about you?"

"Finished," Vincent murmured. "But I need you to check the Mako cannon."

"Huh? We already..." Yuffie held her scanner up to the cannon, and made a startled noise as faint measures of life were detected.

Vincent heard her squeak through the walkie-talkie. "Hmmm. As I thought. Yuffie?"

"Yeah?"

"Meteor is starting to fall. Rendezvous with Cloud and the others when they return. I have unfinished business to attend to."

"Huh?" Yuffie, confused, began to speak again, but the walkie-talkie cut off. "Damn, Vince!" she cursed, then yelled towards the cannon. "What are you doing? Get out of there! I have a bad feeling about this!" Looking around frantically, she signalled to a nearby officer, who came hurrying over. "Vincent's in danger!" she told him. "I have to go get him!"

"Where is he?"

"Up there! He's going up to the top of the cannon!"

The officer frowned. "We've got a hovercycle spare, but it could be risky if you don't know how to use it."

"I don't care. I have to go get Vincent-"

A steel beam fell to the floor inches away from Yuffie, who squealed and jumped in surprise. Meteor had begun to fall, as Vincent said. Midgar was slowly starting to break apart. "Damn!" she cursed. "Quick, I have to get that hovercycle!"

"Over here." The officer showed her the contraption; Yuffie's stomach twisted as she realised it would make her sick. But I have to rescue Vince. What the hell does he think he's doing?

She tossed back her head, dismissing her fears. "Show me how to use it."

Ten minutes later Yuffie was zooming through the air towards the Mako cannon, yelling for her boyfriend over the rush of air around her. Midgar's dusky glow was slowly being replaced by a bloody red hue from the ever-descending Meteor; while this wasn't exactly a good thing, it meant that she could pick out Vincent easier. She spotted him racing up the stairs of the cannon, cloak billowing and hair whipping about his icy pale face. "Vincent!" she shouted, but she was too far away for him to hear her. Trying again, she cut herself off with a groan, feeling her stomach turning to jelly. Ugh, not good. Must...not...blow... chunks...ugh...

Breathing heavily to stop herself from retching, she watched Vincent stop suddenly, staring at something she could not currently see. He slowly drew his gun, preparing to fire.

Yuffie's stomach constricted again, but not from sickness. She could see now; it was Hojo, slumped at the computer panels. But...didn't we kill him? It was his life I detected, but...so confused- oh, crap! Vince!

Lightning struck the cannon supports, throwing Vincent onto his side with a harsh jolt. "Vincent!" Yuffie screamed, now within earshot of the gunman, who looked up in slight surprise. She saw his mouth form her name, and she reached out her hand as the hovercycle drew closer. The floor beneath Vincent began to slide out, wobbling ominously; Yuffie heard Vincent utter a curse as he scrambled to his feet. "Hey!" Yuffie yelled, and Vincent grabbed her hand, swinging himself onto the back of the cycle as the floor gave way completely.

Yuffie dropped her head to the controls, feeling a retch threatening to twist her stomach. Taking deep gulps of air, she forced herself to look where she was going, aiming for the ground as Vincent wound an arm round her waist, holding her protectively.

They reached the ground safely, and Vincent helped Yuffie dismount. The minute her feet were on a steady surface, she launched herself at him, pummelling his chest with frustrated fists. "What the hell were you doing?" she yelled. "You could have been killed! And telling me to run off and save my own ass when all I could do was save yours! Why aren't you thanking me? Well? Answer me, dammit!"

"Yuffie-!" Vincent held his raging girlfriend at arm's length. "Please let me speak. I only desired to check the cannon one more time. I did not mean to put myself in danger. The only reason I asked you to meet with the others was because I was concerned for your own safety; I could have made it back safely had the lightning not struck."

"Well, it did! And it could have killed you! Then what would I have done, huh? Left little old me alone..." Shaking, Yuffie allowed Vincent to pull her into his arms, holding her securely to his chest. "Don't ever scare me like that again, Vince..." she whimpered, clutching the folds of his cloak, which he wrapped around her as a makeshift blanket, closing the distance between their bodies further. "You have my word, little rose," he replied softly. Tilting her head up, he drew her into a gentle kiss.

She smiled at him, her anger forgotten. "I love it when you call me that," she said.

"That is why I say it."

"Good. You can carry on saying it." She shifted a hand up to rest it on his shoulder; at this he winced, inhaling sharply. She jumped back. "Oh god! Are you hurt?"

"A little," Vincent muttered through gritted teeth. "I was hit by a beam atop the cannon when the lightning struck. I think I may be burned as well as bruised."

"We'll get you to a medic, come on-"

"No, leave it. I can manage a few hours as long as you don't touch it. Come. We still have work to do. Then I shall be attended to."

"You sure?"

"I'm sure, little rose." Managing a small smile, he gestured with his good arm. Together they set off back towards the evacuation site.

Luckily, all the willing citizens had been evacuated by the time Meteor began to really tear apart at Midgar. Storms of scarlet wind ripped through the steel city as though it were paper, lifting debris and throwing it about haphazardly.

Yuffie and Vincent watched from the outskirts, the ninja clinging to her older lover worriedly. Crashes and bangs thudded dully around them. "Vince, I'm scared..." she whispered, burying her face in his chest.

"I know..." he replied, holding her tighter as she began to shiver.

"What if the others don't make it back?"

"They will. I promise." It had been a full day since Yuffie and Vincent had returned to Midgar. They had heard nothing from the rest of the party, via Cait Sith nor the PHS. Even Vincent had occasional thoughts that their efforts might have been in vain. But we must stay strong. Ouch...speaking of...

He moved his shoulder gingerly. It had still not been healed due to their being so busy. Yuffie noticed and pulled a sympathetic face. "Oh..we forgot about your shoulder," she murmured, rummaging for her Restore Materia. Vincent attempted to protest, but she silenced him with a kiss. "I need to look at it," she said. "Take the cloak and shirt off." When he opened his mouth she scowled. "Now."

Defeated, Vincent did so. Yuffie sucked in her breath at the sight of the wound. Parts of the flesh were burnt almost black from the searing heat of the metal that had been struck by lightning and fell on Vincent. The rest looked raw and shiny, and oozed clear liquid. The skin around the wound was mottled with deep purple and yellow bruising. "That looks really nasty," she groaned. Vincent turned his head to look at it, blinking in surprise at the severity of the injury. She touched it, and the gunman uttered a soft moan of pain. "It's gonna hurt, Vince. Just hang on tight." Clutching her Materia tight in one hand, Yuffie placed the other over the wound. Vincent hissed a stream of increasingly filthy curses and swear words, chest rising and falling quickly as he struggled with himself, trying not to throw Yuffie off him, such was the pain as she gripped his arm. However, he knew it was essential for his healing, and forced himself to bear it. The strange sensation of his flesh knitting back together made him twitch a little, but the pain was rapidly disappearing, replaced by only a slight ache when Yuffie had finished.

Vincent moved his shoulder back and forth, pleased to find he could do so. "Thank you," he smiled at Yuffie, kissing her.

"Hey, it needed doing. Now let's get the freaking hell outta here! The Highwind'll never find us here, we have to get out of Midgar!"

I feel bad for leaving these poor people behind, Vincent thought as they made hurriedly for the city exit, but if Cloud has been successful, all should be fine. Lucrecia...I am sorry for your son. You did not deserve such pain.

He and Yuffie watched from a good distance, atop a hill overlooking Kalm, which was safely out of the way of Meteor.

Then Holy burst out of the ground, and they knew Cloud and the party had done it. Sephiroth was dead. The worst of the worst was over.