"Has anyone seen Shelke?" asked Reeve as everyone came together in the control room.

"I'm afraid she's gone with Vincent to find Gilmore," said Rufus.

"What?!" gasped Reeve. "Without telling any of us?"

"It was Vincent that convinced her," said Rufus. "She took up her weapons and left with him."

"But Vincent is in no condition to go after him!" said Yuffie stepping forward.

"I know," said Rufus. "But there is no stopping them now. They might be already half way to the Slums now."

"What would you have us do boss?" asked Reno

All eyes were on Rufus now. He could say something that could turn just as many against him as for him. There wasn't much to say about the matter though. All knew what needed to be said and all knew what he was to say.

"We'll continue with trying to get Gilmore back and stop whatever Hojo has planned just like we planned," said Rufus.

"Uh, but—" started Yuffie to protest, but Reeve placed his hand on her shoulder to silence her.

"Vincent can take care of himself," said Reeve.

"But not in that state!" she pointed her index finger to him.

Reeve sighed inwardly and let his shoulders drop slightly as his eyes became dim and moods downward.

"Shelke can watch over him," he said. "She'll make sure he's safe."

The night had grown dark and Shelke knew that they had to rest. She felt fine and could probably go on through the night, but her partner next to her . . . didn't look so good. She saw he was struggling to keep up the pace and even walk straight. She didn't know the full extent of what that Shin-Ra mind machine did to him, but it was taking its toll on him now.

"Vincent," she said as she placed her tender hands on his arms and lead him to sit down. "You need to rest."

Once Vincent sat down on the dark ground he closed his eyes and tossed his head in aching hurt. His chest heaved up and down seeing his condition worsen with the more he pushed himself to make up the lost miles from his child.

"No," he said shaking his head. "We have to keep going or Gilmore will—"

"Be fine," said Shelke placing her hand on Vincent's forehead. "You on the other hand I'm not too sure about."

"I'll be fine," he said grabbing her hand and pushing it away from him as he attempted to get up.

"Please don't do this to yourself," said Shelke grabbing onto his pant leg.

She felt Vincent's limbs shaking from all the stress he's forced upon them. She gasped slightly and then looked up at him who was hunched over trying to maintain his stature, but failing miserably.

"Vincent," said Shelke standing up and placing her hands on his shoulders.

Vincent then gave out a small groan and fell forward onto Shelke. Shelke caught her balance by placing her right leg back and being able to not fall under Vincent's weight. After that she slowly leaned forward and placed Vincent back on the ground.

"Vincent," she sadly sighed as she took his right hand in her hands and put it on the side of her face.

Vincent's ruby eyes soon found her worried sapphires. She looked so scared and sad at the same time. He knew she probably was thinking about her family and how it was falling apart. He cocked his head to the side a bit and placed his other hand on Shelke's face.

"I know you're afraid of your family disappearing again," he said to her softly.

Shelke cast her eyes down and Vincent felt her hands squeeze his own. They soon wandered back to his as she said—

"I'm afraid of losing you."

Vincent was to say something, but found he had nothing to say so his mouth just opened and shut without a word. His eyes fell away from hers and as he did this Shelke felt as if she said something wrong. She leaned closer to him and said—

"Vincent look at yourself. You are in no shape to be looking for anyone and . . . and . . . you're withering away!"

"You don't think I know?" he said still not looking at her just the area beside him.

At that Shelke let go of his hand and backed her abdomen away just slightly. She clasped her hands together and just looked down. There seemed to be a silence so deep that it cut into their very hearts.

"It seems without Chaos you are nothing," she said finally.

Vincent's eyes crawled back to her, but her own eyes were cast downward and so unaware of their gaze upon her.

"I can see you falling apart like any mortal Vincent, but you won't admit it. Before this whole incident I didn't think much of it but now . . . I'm afraid you'll die before me."

"Shelke—" started Vincent leaned up a bit.

Shelke just turned her head more from him and closed her eyes signaling she didn't want to hear it. Her hand clenched so tight signaled she was tired of everything. She then loosened her body and opened her eyes saying—

"I was given an extra ten years to live after I was taken off the mako . . . but you . . . you were so much older than me and I . . . I thought we could live together peacefully and everything not matter, but you were taken from me and it felt like I lost so much time. Seeing you now and how you've aged made me realize you aren't the same Vincent as before. No, you are mortal and will die—as I said before, I don't want you to die and . . . I'm afraid if you continue you will."

"I see . . . eh," he said as another painful jolt struck his mind.

"Vincent!" cried Shelke throwing herself on his chest. "I don't want you to be in any pain so please . . . rest."

"Just as long as you rest with me," said Vincent with a small smile as he wrapped his left arm around Shelke's petite frame and closed his eyes.

"Anything," sighed Shelke as she closed her eyes to rest. "For Vincent Valentine."

There was about a 2 minute pause until Shelke began to speak again saying—

"Vincent . . . I'm sorry I blamed you for all my dismay."

At that Vincent opened his eyes and looked down at the woman who lay gently down on his chest. She inhaled and exhaled so heavenly Vincent couldn't help but begin to caress her bare arms with the tips of his fingers.

"I've blamed you for so much when you already bear such a heavy burden," she said as she began to tighten her grip on Vincent's shirt. "It only heavied the burden you carry and it's all my fault."

"No Shelke," he whispered to her as he glanced up at the clear stars in the black blanket of night. "You had ever right to blame."

"No I hadn't," she said rubbing her head into his chest like she was shaking it 'no'. "Everything's my fault—for acting so bitter against you."

"Shelke," he said looking down at her red head on him and placing his right hand in her locks.

"You didn't have to excite me Vincent Valentine," said Shelke opening her eyes but not turning her head up to look at Vincent's face. "The night we first made love . . . if you would have asked . . . I would have said yes."

For some strange reason, all of the sudden, the pain in Vincent's head seemed to cease as he felt the emotions of Shelke pour onto him from her very heart. It could be that his body wasn't taking attention to the pain inside his head, but the feel of the woman's emotions that it held in its arms.

"I'm glad I married you when I did—I'm glad I loved you when I did, no matter the stature of my body—I'm glad I had your son when I did—I'm glad I still held onto, what seemed like, a hopeless love 'cause you came back . . . and answered my prayers."

At that she looked up at him who had just placed his golden claw on the side of her face and looked deep into her blue eyes saying—

"You . . . prayed for me?"

"Every day," said Shelke with a gasp as water began to fill her eyes. "I never hated you—not once. I just lied to myself to try and forget you, but each night as I knelt down to say my prayers you always came to my lips."

"Were you ever going to stop?" asked Vincent.

Shelke then cast her head back down and leaned up from him so she wasn't laying completely on his chest. She fiddled with her fingers a bit until she glanced to her left and said—

"The day Reeve proposed to me and I said yes—was when I stopped. I figured I couldn't live on the past and so I tried to move on."

"I see," said Vincent.

"But then you came back," she said with a smile as she looked back at him and placed her hand atop his golden claw.

"Well I was never about to let you go," said Vincent with a small hint of a smirk.

"Good," said Shelke shaking her head and grasping his cape collar with both hands. "'Cause we'd both be miserable and I don't think that'd be too good for the child."

"No it wouldn't," said Vincent with a slight shake of his head and smile with deep affection toward to woman before him.

Shelke then leaned into him to perhaps kiss him, but before her lips even met his Vincent spoke suddenly saying—

Thank-you Shelke . . . for not giving up on me."

Shelke paused and just looked at Vincent with glimmering eyes and cheeks that began to turn red in a blush. Vincent soon didn't let her blush for long as he shot his face out and captured her lips with his own. Shelke's eyes widened a bit at this sudden movement but as soon as Vincent's arms wrapped around her she was wooed to do the same. After that Vincent took her in his grasp and forced her back on the ground, but this only caused him to groan in pain a bit from his head.

Shelke quickly took hold of his shirt and pulled him closer. Her leg wrapped around one and just pulled. She managed to flip Vincent on his back and ease his pain a bit. She took a deep breath in as a small kind smile escaped her lips as she said—

"I said I want you to rest—laying down's the best way."

Vincent couldn't help but smile. His right hand caught a lock of Shelke's hair and forced her to come back down on him to do nothing but deliver him sweet kisses. Shelke didn't mind though. She said she'd do anything for Vincent—even if it were to make love during a crisis such as this.

"Alright, it's morning," said Reno. "Time to get busy and find that kid."

As all readied to go on the search Zack came up with his sword and asked—

"May I come too?"

Cloud turned to his son and shook his head.

"No," he said placing his hand on his son's shoulder. "I need you here to look after your brother."

"And Marlene," came Barret as he walked up next to Cloud.

"Really?" asked Zack looking at Barret.

"I wouldn't have any other watch over her than you," he said with a smile.

"Thank-you sir," said Zack giving him a quick bow then leaving.

"Thanks," said Cloud turning to Barret. "I don't know what I would have done if you didn't show up and say that when you did. Zack's been a handful ever since he turned into a teen—if you know what I mean."

"I understand," said Barret. "But now let's focus on getting back that other teen."

"Right," said Cloud shaking his head.

"Fourth time's the charm," said Shelke with a giggle just as soon as she finished buckling the last buckles on her thighs for her blade holders.

Vincent just gave off a small snicker as he finished situating his pointed shoes. Once he was done he stood up straight and looked at the new morning around him. He took a deep breath in and slowly let it out as he his eyes closed to relax his limps. Shelke watched him as he did this and then asked—

"Are you feeling better? I mean the fact that we—didn't cause you it to—?"

"No," said Vincent opening his eyes and looking at her. "Actually I think it helped."

"Oh . . . well—that's good," said Shelke twirling a lock of her hair with her finger and blushing.

Her eyes then widened as she felt arms embrace her from behind. They came together before her chest and she just sighed knowing the feel of those arms. She leaned her head back against the shoulder of her holder and just gazed into the morning. There was a silence for about 3 minutes until Shelke spoke saying—

"Do you think Gilmore's okay—Vincent?"

"I'm not sure," said Vincent rubbing his lips into Shelke's shoulder. "You can never tell with Hojo."

"I guess you're right," said Shelke casting her eyes down in sadness.

Vincent's hand then fell to catch Shelke's and squeeze it tight. She turned her head slightly at the touch and knew what Vincent had to say.

"No matter what Shelke—I will save him," promised Vincent.

"No," she said turning to him and taking both his hands in hers then looking him deep in the eyes. "'We'll' save him—together. I am his parent just as much as you are and so am willing to sacrifice anything for his safety. You know this."

Vincent took her right hand in his left and placed it on the side of his face just to sigh out and look at her saying—

"I just don't want you to sacrifice too much as you already have."

"The last thing left is my life," she said her eyes scanning his.

"I know," said Vincent lifting his head up above hers. "That's the last thing I want from you."

"You as well!" she said running into his arms and hugging him.

"Deal," said Vincent with a slight smile as his arms gently wrapped around her body.

And so they headed off to go find Gilmore. They still had a long way to go before they reached Midgar. They were fast though—the both of them. So when they reached their destination the sun had just began to descend from the sky . . . pretty good time for the two, but both feared and ever wondered if they were too late.

"Be careful," said Vincent as he pulled out Cerberus.

"You too," she said as she took out her heated blades and her eyes turned golden.

Both entered with caution knowing Hojo wouldn't leave sector 7 unguarded in some kind of experiment. No—Deepground was around here somewhere and it was only a matter of time before they ran into each other. It was true—their theory. Vincent turned his gun to the right and up and said—

"Look out!"

At that he shot his round and killed a soldier. He dropped dead to the ground below and both examined the body. Yep, it was Deepground. Both sighed wishing this war had been over with already, but apparently Hojo kept it going.

"We need to destroy Hojo in order for this war to stop," said Shelke examining the familiar Deepground suit that matched her own.

Vincent nodded his head then stood up straight. He looked before them and saw a number of passageways. His eyes scanned each to perhaps find anything that would single any out to make it seem like the right one, but they were all the same.

"Which one?" he said getting Shelke's attention.

Shelke sighed and looked at them all. Her memory of this place had been blocked away so she didn't have to remember the horrors of that past life, but now she needed to remember those before another horror was thrust upon her.

"If I remember correctly," she said walking towards the passageways. "It was the one on the far left. At least—that's the passage way the Svets came out of."

"Then we'll take it," said Vincent with a nod as he took off with Shelke following him.

They traveled the passageway to only find more doors. Shelke looked around and turned to Vincent to say—

"It is like a labyrinth. So this way no enemy could find us too easy and we could easily track them."

"So are we being tracked?" asked Vincent tilting his chin down in his collar.

"Perhaps," said Shelke backing up against a wall rather strangely. "But Deepground soldiers have the ability to become—unseen!"

At the last word she took out one heated blade and jabbed it beside her near the wall. It seemed to hit something as Vincent heard the grunt of a being. Soon the soldier became visible and fell to the ground dead. Shelke just gave off a small smile as she placed her blade back.

"Well," said Vincent looking at the dead soldier. "I'm glad I married an ex-Deepground then."

"And ex-Svet," said Shelke wish a smile seeming a bit proud.

"I'll remember that," said Vincent with a small snicker. "Let's go."

At that the two ran off and hoped they wouldn't run into any more soldiers, but that was all in vain. Once they reached another passageway they were ambushed by many as they came down from above and below. Vincent and Shelke had their backs to each other as they became surrounded. Shelke took out her blades and flared them up; Vincent took out his gun and prepared to fire.

Just as soon as one fired at them Vincent shot him in the head and Shelke lunged out around Vincent to take off the nearest by him. Once that was done Vincent was free to turn his back and take out the other ones. That fight was done in less then 5 minutes.

"Well," said Shelke putting her blades back. "That wasn't too hard. Do you think the others are fighting Deepground?"

"They might just have the front of them," said Vincent putting his gun away. "That's why we seem to not run into that many."

"Understood," said Shelke with a small shake of her head. "Shall we continue? If my thoughts are correct Hojo may have Gilmore down this way."

At that they ran down another passageway hoping to find something—anything that would give them a clue to finding Gilmore.