Hi, everyone! I just thought I'd pop in to say I really appreciate everyone who has read my story so far, saved it to their favorites, or left me such nice and helpful reviews.

I really hope I'm doing justice to my (and your) favorite Final Fantasy characters.

Best regards,

C. Buttons

Chapter Five – No Rest for the Wicked

Their lips had merely brushed together when Yuffie went limp in his arms. He froze, spotting the dart protruding from the back of her neck. Instincts took over; there was no time to hunt down the attacker. He had to get Yuffie to a hospital. He fled with her, rushing through the busy streets of Edge until he arrived at the nearest emergency medical center. Once inside, the nurses laid Yuffie's seemingly lifeless body onto a gurney and wheeled her away. He was not permitted to follow.

As he sat in the waiting room, his entire body was shaking. What now? he asked himself. Stay with Yuffie, or go after whoever did this to her?

After waiting nearly half an hour in the lobby, Vincent approached the admissions desk. The woman behind the counter was turned around in her chair, talking quietly on her mobile phone. He waited a moment, until it became apparent the clerk was on a personal call. "Excuse me," he said sternly. The woman spun in the chair and whispered something into her phone before placing it beside her on the desk.

"Yes? May I help you?" She seemed irritated by the interruption.

"I brought someone in half an hour ago and haven't heard from the doctor. Yuffie Kisaragi."

"One moment please," she uttered, clacking away at the keyboard. "Ah, yes, she is being seen by Doctor Kurin. May I ask what your relationship to the patient is?"

"I'm just a friend. She doesn't have any family in town."

"Well, I'm sorry, Sir, but we can't allow visitation except from family members."

Vincent frowned. "But, as I stated, she has no family in town. She was struck by a dart standing next to me. I need to know if she's alright."

"I can page the doctor to see if she's awake. If we get the patient's permission, we can let you in to see her."

"Please do."

"One moment please." She pulled the glass window shut, and finished her private phone call before lifting the receiver on the desk phone and tapping the desk casually as she waited for an answer. She punched a few more numbers in before hanging the phone up and pulling the window open again. "I'm sorry, Sir, but there was no answer. I've left a call-back request for the doctor. He should be getting back to me within twenty minutes or so."

Vincent thought quickly. He couldn't allow whoever did this to Yuffie to flee the city, but he couldn't leave her alone, either, in case she was in danger even in the hospital. He thanked the clerk, though she hardly deserved it, and went back to the lobby to make a call of his own.

Cloud promised to be at the hospital in ten minutes' time. Vincent met him at the front doors. "Keep an eye out for suspicious characters," he warned.

"Understood," Cloud replied seriously. "Do you want to take my bike?"

Vincent eyed the Fenrir, then shook his head. "I'll have better luck on foot."

"You're probably right. Good luck. I won't let anything happen to her."

"Thanks." With that, Vincent made his way back to the scene of the attack to look for clues.

Once there, he calculated the rough trajectory of the dart and made his way to the most probable sight of the shooting – the roof top of a nearby building. He saw nothing to give him any aid in finding Yuffie's attacker, but as he looked around, he noted the excellent vantage point this spot was. From here, he could see the street in nearly every direction. He watched the foot traffic below for a moment, hoping somebody or something would stand out to him. Then, somebody did.

The young man turned and ran the moment Vincent spotted him. It did him little good to do so, for Vincent was soon hot on his trail. Soon, the suspect found himself in a dead-end allyway, with Vincent's shadow falling menacingly over him.

"Please, don't shoot me," the young man pleaded.

Vincent seized him roughly by the throat and held him against the wall. "Who are you?" he demanded, his red eyes flaring. "Why are you after Yuffie?"

"Who's Yuffie?" came the choked response. Vincent squeezed him harder. "I… don't… know…"

"Who do you work for?" Vincent pressed; it was clear this was a man for hire. If he could lead Vincent to whoever had paid him to shoot Yuffie, then perhaps…

"D-doc…"

Vincent loosened his grip on the man's throat slightly.

"Doctor Orias hired me," he panted. "But I don't know nothing about this Yuffie."

"Then why did you shoot her?"

"Shoot her? Shit… I'm sorry. I wasn't after your friend."

"Then who were you after?" Vincent was shouting now; it was unlike him to let himself get out of control, but the rage was building.

"I'm not supposed to… aacckk!" Vincent crushed the throat again, then released it slowly. "Okay, okay. Please don't kill me! I'll tell you everything I know." Vincent let him drop hard to the ground and waited for the answers he needed.

"This doctor made some kind of clone. Some woman he used to work for. I don't know why. I just know the clone got out. He hired me, and a bunch of other guys, to find her and bring her back."

"And yet you shot a friend of mine by mistake. How did that happen?"

"You're Vincent Valentine, right? Doctor Orias gave me a picture of you. Said the clone might be under your protection."

"Why?"

"I don't know. He didn't say. Please, let me go. I-I won't be back. You'll never see me again."

Vincent poised the claw in front of the man's heaving chest, ready to thrust. His lip twitched uncontrollably. The man began mumbling incoherantly, most likely praying for his life.

With a deep sigh, Vincent released his grip on the attacker. "If I do, this will be the last thing you ever see," Vincent growled, swiping at the man's chest with his claw. His shirt was shredded, but no blood was drawn. "Now get out of here."

"Yes. I will. Thank you, Mr. Valentine. Thank you." Vincent stood stiffly as the young man fled. He thought a moment about his next move. Something told him to go back to the hospital. Maybe Cloud would be able to offer him some assistance in finding this Doctor Orias.

He'd made a stop by his hotel room before returning to the emergency room and changed back into his normal clothes. Normal for him, anyway. The woman at the desk greeted him with shock. "You're Vincent Valentine, aren't you?" she exclaimed as he approached. "I knew I recognized you! I'm in your fan club. I'm sorry I wasn't much help earlier. Your friend's awake now. She asked for you."

Vincent grunted. "Which room?"

"Two-oh-three. Down the hall, second door on the left."

"Thank you."

"No problem, hun. Just let me know if there's anything else…" Vincent was already on his way down the hallway. He stopped in front of door 203 and let out a deep sigh before turning the handle.

Cloud was just inside the door, hand ready on the hilt of the Ultima Weapon. "Oh," he sighed. "Vincent. Yuffie's awake."

"I know. Thank you." He stepped past Cloud and approached Yuffie's bedside. She was pale in the face, and her eyes were barely able to open.

"Vincent," she said, smiling weakly. "What happened?"

"I was able to track down the man who shot you," he said sternly. "He gave me the information I needed. They won't get away with this."

"You didn't… kill him, did you?"

"No, but… perhaps I should have."

Cloud came closer then. "So, who wants Yuffie?" he asked.

"It wasn't Yuffie they were after. It was a mistake."

"That figures," Yuffie moaned.

"At least we don't have to worry about it now," Cloud said assuringly. Vincent knew better, but held his tongue. He didn't want to worry Yuffie with the other details just yet. He would speak to Cloud in private later, he decided.

Cloud's phone rang and he excused himself, leaving Vincent and Yuffie alone in the little hospital room.

"You look sad, Vince," Yuffie muttered quietly.

"I was worried about you. I thought… But you're alright?"

"It was just a tranquilizer dart," she said. "But it made me throw up. Cloud had to mop me up a little."

"I'm sorry, Yuffie."

"It's okay… It interrupted us, though, didn't it?"

Vincent blushed slightly. "Did it?"

Yuffie laughed, despite her condition. "Yes, it did. Don't worry, though. I won't try that again."

"I see."

"Did I ever tell you, I'm the president of your fan club, Vince?"

"You… are?"

"Yup. I guess I had a little crush on you. I always thought you were so cool. It's silly, I know. Why would you be interested in me?"

"Yuffie…"

"You don't have to say anything, Mister Sinister. Maybe we can just pretend nothing happened. I don't want this to mess up our friendship."

Vincent hesitated, but knew he probably wouldn't find another moment like this. "Maybe I do."

Yuffie blinked. "You do what?"

"Want this to mess up our friendship." He felt vulnerable, and it was not a comfortable feeling. Then again, what is life without taking risks?

Yuffie sat up in her bed, her mouth open in surprise. "Are we talking about the same thing here?"

Vincent sat on the edge of her bed. "I certainly hope so," he whispered. He leaned in to kiss her then, and felt his pulse quicken when their lips touched.

It was crazy, and without warning. Yet he could not deny his feelings. He broke the kiss reluctantly and tried to judge her expression. She seemed… to glow. She opened her arms to him then, and he pulled her to him. There weren't any words to express these new feelings, and so neither of them spoke.

After a long time, Yuffie pulled away from him slightly and put her lips near his ear. "I feel much better now," she whispered.

Vincent laughed quietly. "Glad to hear it. Would you like to check out now?"

"Definitely."

Yuffie's doctor had instructed her to remain in bed until the following morning. Upon her request, Vincent made a quick stop at the video rental store and borrowed three of her favorites films. He glanced at the list she'd scribbled for him, before letting Cloud take her back to the hotel. Soda - grape. Popcorn – extra butter. Chips – cheddar cheese. Licorice – red only. He sighed, wondering how the stayed so fit with such eating habits.

As he reached the steps of the inn, he caught himself smiling. It was almost humorous how easily he was adjusting to being in a relationship again. Well, perhaps 'relationship' wasn't the right word. He was not certain of their exact status; he only knew he couldn't wait to get upstairs.

He took the steps lightly, and rushed to fit the key into the lock. Only seconds, he told himself. Mere seconds until he would see her child-like face beaming radiantly at him.

The door was unlocked; he'd have to say something about that. But first, he was going to enjoy this moment. He pushed the door open gracefully with his free hand, then froze. A cold panic swept over his entire body as his eyes darted desperately across the suite.

The room was empty.