Vincent's consciousness awoke with a start at the realization that he had consciousness again. His body had been so exhausted that he hardly realized when Chaos had taken control. He didn't even want to fight it. It just felt too good to give in to the demon's desires. More of a relief than anything else, and he would've been a fool not to fall into it. The thoughts of what Chaos might do once he'd gotten control completely slipped into a small part of his mind where he didn't care anymore.

The demon's mind slowly took over him. Pushing his own subconscious back until he was nearly swallowed up. He could no longer hear his family calling out to him. The last thing he even remembered was the sound of his new found lover's voice pleading with him to wake up… for him not to leave him. Why wasn't that enough? For some reason he could no longer even feel the love he'd always felt for the brash pilot. Just an empty relief while his soul was being taken over. Pushed back until nothing could feel anymore. No senses were awake to him, but they seemed to be starting up again.

The first inquiry, the realization of consciousness brought to him, was to wonder why he was cold. It seemed as if his entire body was encased in some kind of cold mist. Where was he? Vincent tried to open his eyes, but they hurt too much to remain open. All he could make out was a swirl of some kind of blue-violet substance hovering over him. Soon came something he actually recognized… the sound of running water rushed into his head, sounding as if it echoed through where ever he was. A gentle sloshing sound when he tried to move, finally made him aware that the cold mist surrounding him was actually water.

However, the realization that brought him fully back was when he could feel someone else. A pair of hands were touching him, cradling around his head, and neck.

Instinctively, and a bit startled, Vincent pushed away from whoever was near him. The pull of the water, and the exhaustion of his body, caused him to lose balance, submerging him fully in the icy water. His body may've been active. But he still felt as if he had actually been asleep for the duration.

Vincent quickly got to his feet, and raised Cerberus in the direction he'd just come from. His gunarm was shaking; he still felt very weak. There was also water in his eyes, and he couldn't fully open them. It didn't matter though. Since they were in water, Vincent was confident that he could hear this person move enough to get a target.

"It's alright now, Vincent." Something pushed the barrel of his gun down, and he let it… he knew that voice. "Everything's going to be ok now."

… it couldn't be.

A dry cloth came up to his face, gently drying it off. Drawing the water from his eyes so he could see. Vincent dropped the heavy gun, with a thick sloosh. He couldn't believe it. He was staring into a face he hadn't seen in over thirty years. Someone he thought to be dead. Vincent stepped forward. "F-fath-er?"

Grimoire smiled, gently grasping his son's arms. "Yes, Vincent… it's alright… I'm here now."

Tears glinted in the corner of his gleaming red eyes, as Vincent threw his arms around his father's neck. He couldn't believe it. He was really here. The gunman knew that if he was watching himself, he'd think he was foolish for believing this so easily, but it didn't matter. He knew his father and he'd die to see him again. The mystery of his death still haunted him. He'd been seeking his guidance with so many things.

A fleeting thought crossed Vincent's mind about how foolish Chaos must think he is right now. That was when he realized something odd. Chaos was being awfully quiet… they all were. Was it because his dad was here? Like Cid? But they'd chimed in a lot when he was with Cid too… so why?

Vincent stepped back, his eyes fixed on his father in confusion. Tears still glinted off his cheeks. "What are you dong here?"

Grimoire fastened the scarf back around his neck. "I'm here to help you." He motioned out to the surrounding. "I've brought you here so I could get rid of them."

Vincent looked around, another tear sliding down his cheek. He remembered this place. He'd seen Lucrecia here once before. They were in a small cave behind a waterfall near Nibelheim. The gunman looked up at the empty crystal settled in the middle of the small pool they were standing in.

Grimoire walked up beside him. "This is where I found Chaos."

Vincent's head wrenched around to him. "You found?"

The older gunman's eyes closed sadly, his head dropping. "Yes." He turned back up to look at the gleaming crystal as it illuminated the tears that'd formed in his eyes. "Chaos and his brothers were encased in this crystal. I searched for them to help Lucrecia with her research… to shove it in the faces of all the people that mocked her theories." He turned back to Vincent, the tears freed from his eyes. "I never, in my wildest dreams, imagined that you'd be the one burdened with them. I tried to keep you under Hojo's radar so you wouldn't get mixed up in all this craziness. Lucrecia was a sweet girl. I wanted to introduce you, but I feared you'd have to meet Hojo. He hated me, and I was afraid of what he may do to you if he ever knew I had a son. Of he ever found my one weakness."

Vincent's eyes twitched slightly. "That's why he chose me?" He whispered, almost in shock, if it hadn't made sense. "He tortured me because he couldn't get you anymore… because you were…"

Grimoire nodded. "Yes. I don't know how he found out about you, but that's what I saw too. He always wanted to find some way to hurt me, but I was too strong for him. So, after I died, he saw his chance in you." He pulled Vincent into his arms, squeezing tightly. "It's all my fault. I provided him with these monsters to curse you with. I provided him with Jenova, and caused all this calamity on the world, but I'm going to make up for it now." He pushed back, brushing away his son's tears. "Starting with you… here is where they were found, and here is where they shall be laid to rest." Grimoire's tears fell faster, and Vincent's eyes flickered unsure. Confused as to why he seemed to be in so much pain.

Vincent managed to find a weak smile. "I don't blame you. You were just doing what you thought was right… no one can predict Hojo."

The words were meant to comfort, but they just seemed to sting more… even though he still forced a smile. It was definitely a look Vincent was familiar with. A look he'd used on Cid too many times to count. A small desire came over him… a desire to use a tactic the brash pilot had used so many times against him. "How did you get here?" He asked timidly, not sure if it was appropriate to try and change the subject.

Grimoire's smile turned more genuine. "A friend of yours helped me to leave the lifestream to help you. She asked me to tell you to stop dragging your burdens so much, and try to look forward to the future."

Vincent smiled. That definitely sounded like Aeris… he should've known she was behind this.

Grimoire placed his fingers to the glowing hole in Vincent's chest. "The bullet in your chest here is encased with Protomateria, but it won't hold them back for much longer. I need to banish them before the effect wears off."

Vincent looked down at the small bluish glow in his chest. He knew that glow alright.

Over the sound of the falls, an engine came to his ears, diverting his attention. He knew the sound of that engine, but it wasn't what he was expecting to hear… it was Fenrir. Why was Cloud coming? What had happened to Cid?

Grimoire seemed to ignore the engine, drawing his son into his arms. "I love you, Vincent."

Vincent relaxed. It seemed like his father was the only one that could say that to him and not make him want to draw away. Maybe it's because he knew it was different from everyone else. It was a love that he knew would protect him. He knew that his father would always be there to watch over him. That he'd never hurt him.

It took the ex-Turk a moment to realize that his father's hands had moved. They settled against the crook of his neck. The engine outside the falls fell silent. Vincent realized something familiar about the position of his hands just seconds before they snapped his slim neck between them.

The gleaming crimson eyes hung open in shock, as his head lolled uselessly on it's shoulders.

Grimoire knelt down in the pool of water, crying over his son's limp body. "I love you."

AN: *runs away*