Once everyone came they all saw what the Turks had done to poor little Shelke. They heard about her SNDs and thought of a way for her to come out of her body into the network she was to stay in until the child's time came to come. That way she wouldn't grow so tired of baring the child and her life wouldn't be that much in dangers as the child's. This also gave Shelke's body time to rest for the day and her mind as well.

It seemed to work. Shelke was very aware of her state of body and was not minded at all. It eased every part of her and gave her more time to think. Also she had not gone through any 'spell' thanks to this idea.

She lay numb as the ninth month rolled in. All waited and watched. They knew time came soon and quick. All were concerned and hoped the Turks knew what they were doing. Rufus never showed any fear—but then again, that was Rufus.

"Can't imagine what she's going through," said Reno watching the young form swell up full with child.

"No—you can't," said Cloud watching Shelke with dark eyes.

"So . . . I heard it was one of your team members that knocked her up. Who was it?" asked Reno letting his head fall back just a bit.

Cloud didn't answer though. Why should he? Reno was being rude enough as it was. Vincent didn't need this kind of ridicule—especially when his wife and child were on the line right now.

"Was it that one that disappeared those months ago?" asked Reno. "So did he leave on purpose or was it somethin' else?"

"Don't push him Reno," came Rufus seeing Cloud ready to punch him right in the nose.

"Oh, sorry sir," said Reno giving off a little bow. "It's just I—"

"You're curious, I know," said Rufus looking at the girl's limp body as she lay on the machine. "But you must understand Reno that this is not her real body."

"It's not?" asked Reno.

"Shelke Rui, as she was once known, is now 20 years old. It's just her body hasn't been developing properly thanks to the mako doses she was given at a young age. Now that she doesn't have them any more she is just now starting to grow," said Rufus. "So she is no different from you or me. She also holds the last remaining data fragments from Dr. Lucrecia Crescent, Vincent Valentine's lost love."

"So that's why they—" said Reno.

"Exactly," said Rufus. "So in reality she is very wise beyond any of us."

"Huh—an egghead, huh?" said Reno looking at her. "It's kinda hard to believe."

"Nothing is anymore it seems," said Rufus glancing at Shelke.

After Rufus said that Elana came up saying—

"Sir, it's time."

This got everyone's attention. They immediately put on all the monitors Shelke's virtual consciousness. She appeared to them with her eyes closed.

Once they were opened she spoke to them saying—

"It is time. The child is ready to be birthed. I do not know if I can return to my body though. It has been drained enough as it is. If I do return I may never wake up—but that's the price I pay for life."

"Alright, be ready to perform the procedure," said Rufus. "Care to watch Cloud?"

Cloud just followed as all came to watch the birthing. Shelke was still limp on the machine. The head-attachment still humming over her head. Some say this was one of their scariest times in their life—some.

"Is Shelke going to be okay Tifa?" asked Denzel as he and Marlene looked up at Tifa.

"I hope so," sighed Tifa looking at Shelke.

Soon though Shelke was back in her body just in case anything happened during the birthing, but she hadn't come back to consciousness yet. The doctors went ahead and extracted the child from her for safety. Everything went as planned. The child was born healthy—but something was wrong.

"Is that—?" started Yuffie seeing the Doctors hold up the child.

"Hm, looks like he's inherited some of the remaining Chaos cells," said Rufus seeing the deformation.

"What are you talking about?" asked Barret looking at the covered man.

"You see—Vincent, though Chaos may be gone, still had some cells from Chaos. Since they shared the same body it only seems fit that Vincent still keeps the transforming cells," said Rufus.

"You mean—he can still change into Chaos?!" asked Yuffie almost screeching.

"No, but he still has the capability in his tissue just in case Chaos was ever to pay him a 'visit' again," said Rufus.

"Oooh, I get it," said Yuffie turning back to the child. "But what about him?"

All eyes were on the newborn child now as he screamed and cried when the Doctors cleaned him and tidied him up. On the boy's back were demonic wings similar to that of Chaos. Most were frightened by this, but not the Turks.

"Will he always have those wings?" asked Tifa.

"Yes," said Rufus with a nod of his head. "He was born with them. They are of no threat to anyone nor himself. He'll just have to learn to live with them."

"What of Shelke?" asked Yuffie turning to the clothed man.

Rufus was quiet for a moment as Tseng came up to him and whispered something to him. Everyone waited to see what he had to say seeing how Shelke wasn't waking up. Rufus was quiet for a moment longer until he said—

"I have been informed about Shelke."

"What the he-- is wrong with Shelke?!" asked Cid ready to bash someone in.

"She isn't waking up," said Rufus plainly.

"Is that good or bad?" asked Cloud taking a step forward.

"In her case it isn't good," said Rufus. "She is in a coma now. Her mind was well rested, but like she said—her body has been drained. Once she returned to her body the weariness dragged her into a deep slumber. I regret to inform you there is nothing else we can do for her . . . the rest is up to her."

"Shelke," whispered Tifa turning to the new mother still limp where she lay.

"Hhh, Vincent Valentine wake up . . . it has been nine months now. Your son cries for you. Can you not hear his cries? Can you not hear mine as I bore him into the world?

Though I was numb too much I cried in my mind. I know how much you liked to read my mind so I must ask . . . did you hear me? Are you even listening to me now?

I don't know why I am even talking to you, or trying. All I want to do is know . . . is know what you can hear me, but it seems you are deaf to everything even your family. How can you shut us out like this? Can you not take control of the darkness around you that makes you slumber?

I guess not . . . but I will still try. I have to—believe. I have to believe there is hope . . . for you . . . for me . . . for us. You may call me a fool, but I have to believe.

Hhh, wake up Vincent Valentine we are calling you. Break from your mind prison and wake up."

Shelke opened her eyes and Reeve nearly jumped out of his seat beside her. He smiled as he leaned towards her saying—

"Shelke, you're awake!"

"How long have I been out?" asked Shelke.

"A week," said Reeve. "When you said you were tired you meant it."

A small chuckle escaped his throat. But soon the rest decided to come in and see her. Yuffie ran up beside her with a big smile on her face saying—

"Shelke, you're awake! I knew you could do it girl!"

Shelke just gave her a slow nod as her eyes glanced upon Cloud Strife with his arms crossed looking at her with almost stone eyes.

"It's good to have you back," he nodded to her.

"My . . . son, where is he?" she asked.

At that all heads turned Reno who carried the bundled up little tyke in his arms to Shelke. Once he leaned down and gave him to the new mother he said—

"Here ya go . . . cute baby by the way."

Immediately after Shelke received him she uncovered him so she could see all of him. Something Reeve didn't want her to do just yet. His wings outstretched and Shelke's eyes widened a bit seeing this.

"Shelke," started Reeve. "It's not what you think. This was only caused because of leftover tissues from Chaos that Vincent still carried."

"I . . . see," said Shelke wondering what to do with him now.

"So Shelke . . . what are you to do with him?" asked Reeve very much aware of Shelke's thoughts about giving him up.

As Shelke thought about this something happened. All of the sudden she was in a room full of light and she was standing on her feet. She looked around wondering where she was. She saw her arms were bare of her son and she searched for him around the place she was in.

"Where am I?" she asked.

At that she saw Lucrecia. In her arms she held her son. His wings outlined in the blue blanket he was wrapped in. Lucrecia smiled as she held him close.

Shelke just watched as the Doctor took her finger to his small mouth making him open it. Lucrecia let out a small giggle as she looked up to the heavens above just thanking she had him. Shelke then heard her speak.

"I'll never give him up, never," said Lucrecia shaking her head as if she was looking at Shelke. "Never."

She seemed happy though and if she was happy—so was Shelke. Soon Shelke was back in her bed holding her week-old son. She held him close and repeated Lucrecia's words.

"I'll never let him go, never . . . never," said Shelke listening to his heart beat so perfectly. "He's mine."

Reeve and the others smiled. It was a good thing she was going to keep him. She would have probably just withered away without him. Now with him . . . at least she had a part of Vincent to get her by.