**Okay, kids, here's a nice, long, juicy chapter for you. Enjoy!**

Chapter Eight: Resurrection of the Flesh

Vincent stood patiently while the tailor examined his clothing and made notes regarding the pattern and fabrics. Cid stood near the door to smoke at the request of the proprietor, but he hadn't submitted without a fight. "Do you know who you're talkin' to here? I'm a %&$# hero!"

In the end, he was told to smoke near the door or leave the shop altogether. "Fine," he'd said haughtily. "But you can bet your ass I'm never comin' back to this shop after today."

As he stood, Vincent's mind travelled back to the inn where he imagined Yuffie would be at this precise moment, stuffing her face with sugar and cheese-flavored calories. A ping of guilt struck him then as he recalled how upset she had been back at the bar when he had agreed to participate in Cid's set-up. Somehow, he would have to convince her there was no danger.

Odd, he thought, how quickly he and Yuffie had grown so concerned over each others' safety. What was it about entering into a relationship with a person that made one feel they had a certain say in how the other chose to live their life? It had already happened twice; first he'd tried to forbid Yuffie from taking part in this, and now she had tried to keep him out of the fire as well.

Once the tailor had taken down all the information required to replicate Vincent's attire, Cid was eager to return to the Seventh Heaven for a few drinks. Vincent made every attempt to decline his invitation, wanting to get back to Yuffie as soon as possible, but it was no use.

"Very well, Cid. I will stay for one drink."

Once they reached the bar, however, he only ordered a single serving of hot tea for himself. Cid eyed the tea cup before taking a double shot of rum and chasing it with a dark, frothy beer.

Wiping the foam from his scraggly chin, he said, "what's with the wussy drink, Vince? Don't tell me you don't drink."

"I do. On rare occasions. However, consuming large quantities of alcohol can sometimes cause… undesirable side effects."

"I didn't understand a damn word you just said, Vince. Are you telling me you can't hold your liquor?"

"No. It's… I lose control of the creatures inhabiting my body when I become intoxicated. It's only happened once before, and I don't intend to let it happen again."

"That's a cryin' shame. I dunno what I'd do without the sauce… Probably give up everything, including flying. Tea's a nice morning drink, but if I'm going to get through the day, I've gotta have something with a little more kick. Know what I mean?"

Vincent had nothing polite to say to this, and so he sipped his tea quickly, hoping he could make his escape soon. Fortunately, Cid's phone rang.

"Yeah? What is it? WHAT! You damn block-heads! I told you never to mess with that control panel. Yeah, well it takes a certain touch, and you ain't got it! Yeah, yeah. I'm on my way." He snapped the phone shut and chugged what remained of his beer. "$&^# idiots," he muttered under his breath. "Well, Vince, looks like I'm cut off early tonight. Those friggin' morons I hired screwed around with my ship and now they can't put her back together right." He rose from the table, dropped a few gil next to his empty glass, and headed toward the door. "See ya, Valentine."

Vincent didn't bother to finish his tea. He thanked Tifa and dropped her tip in the jar next to the till before stepping out into the brisk fall air.

He moved quickly in the direction of the inn where he hoped Yuffie would be waiting for him, avoiding routes that would leave him exposed to anybody who might be trying to follow him. This route led him through a narrow alleyway between two tall buildings. He kept his hand rested warily on the hand grip of Cerberus.

Something caught his attention and he stopped, quietly pulling the gun from its holster. There was a rustling sound up ahead, coming from behind a dumpster. That's original, he thought sarcastically. "Come out," he said, just loud enough for the mercenary to hear him. There was more rustling, then a dull clank, followed by a whispered, "ouch." It was a woman's voice, he noted. That meant nothing; women were just as likely to get mixed up in mercenary work as men. There were men who refused to fight female opponents, but Vincent Valentine was not among them.

"Come out now, or I'll drag you out," he growled menacingly.

"Alright… Just put down the gun."

"Not happening."

"Fine. I'm coming out. Don't shoot me, alright?"

"Let's hope I don't have to."

Finally, a small figure emerged from behind the dumpster, hands held up in submission. Vincent gasped as she stepped into the light. That face, those eyes… there could be no mistake.

"Lucrecia?"

"Hello… Vincent."

"Then… you must be the clone. Somehow, I knew it would be you."

"How did you know?" Her voice was playful and sweet, the way Lucrecia's had been before Hojo had interfered. It was unsettling. "What's the matter, Vincent? You don't seem happy to see me."

"Should I be? Even if you were Lucrecia, I'm not certain-"

"But I am Lucrecia. I'm an exact duplicate. I have her memories, and emotions."

"I find that difficult to believe."

"I'll prove it to you. Let's see… what's something only Lucrecia would know?"

"Hmph."

"I've got it! It was a harvest moon. Some of the locals in Nibleheim were having a festival. You and I snuck up onto the roof of the Shinra manor to watch, since Hojo didn't want us mingling with civilians. We had a bottle of wine. I started to feel a little tipsy, and lost my balance. You caught me before I fell… That was when you first kissed me."

Vincent shut his eyes tightly, trying to push the memory away. "Stop it," he said in a gasping breath. "You're not Lucrecia, no matter what memories you may have inherited from her. You're just a copy."

"Vincent… I had hoped…" Her eyes rolled back in her head suddenly and she fell forward. With inhuman speed, Vincent rushed forward and caught her. She was out cold. He sighed heavily as he lifted her into his arms and resumed his journey back to the inn, keeping to the shadows to avoid being seen.

He hesitated at the door, the clone still draped across his arms. How would he explain this to Yuffie? He could only tell the truth and hope it would be enough.

At first glance, the room appeared empty, but Vincent quickly spotted the arm reaching up from behind Yuffie's bed, clutching her shuriken which rested on her nightstand.

"It's me," he said quietly. Yuffie burst from her hiding place, springing into the air with excitement.

"Vince!" Then her face turned pale and her mouth gaped. "Who..?"

Vincent hurried to set the unconscious clone down on his bed and held up a hand to keep Yuffie quiet. "Please, allow me to explain before you just to conclusions."

"…Okaaaay…" Her voice quivered.

I was heading back to the inn when she approached me in an alleyway. This is the clone those mercenaries are searching for. Before I could get any information, she lost consciousness. I… didn't know what else to do with her."

For a moment, both he and Yuffie could only stare at the elegantly beautiful woman sleeping peacefully on Vincent's bed. When, at length, Yuffie spoke, her voice was gentle.

"So, what do we do now?"

"I'm not certain. I'd like to speak with her more before I decide whether or not she is a threat. If not, then… I'll have to offer her protection."

Yuffie closed her eyes tightly. "Why?" she whispered.

"Yuffie?"

"Why did it have to be her?"

Vincent approached her, arms outstretched. She allowed him to embrace her and buried her face in his chest.

"I don't like it either, Yuffie. But please believe me when I tell you…" He reached down and lifted her chin, and she met his gaze slowly. "This changes nothing. It's you I want; not her."

"You say that now, but… that could change so easily. You can't honestly tell me you don't still have feelings for Lucrecia. I remember the way you used to talk about her, and-"

"That is not Lucrecia, Yuffie," he interrupted, thrusting a golden claw toward the sleeping woman. "Furthermore, even if it were, my resolve would not waver. I'm with you. This is what I want."

Yuffie sniffed, and whiped at her eyes. "You promise?"

"Yuffie… I'm in love with you."

Her face turned red. "You… you are?"

Vincent brushed a strand of hair behind her ear and nodded firmly. "Very much so."

He could see her face was pinched, as if to hold back tears. She threw herself against him, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck. Vincent leaned his forehead against hers and rubbed her back comfortingly.

"And do you love me?" he asked cautiously. He was becoming more comfortable taking risks, at least with Yuffie. She made him feel so at ease, it was difficult to imagine how he'd gone without her all his life.

He felt her head nod against his. "Yes," she answered sweetly. He sighed, both out of relief and contentment. Then he bent down and kissed her softly, only mildly aware of the clone of his ex-true love sleeping on the bed behind him. In this moment, Lucrecia was an afterthought, and Vincent could only hope and pray she would remain as such. For he secretly feared that having the look-alike (complete with all Lucrecia's memories and emotions) around might eventually get to him – especially if she insisted on winning her way back into his affections.

He had spent so much time dwelling on the loss of Lucrecia, there was no telling how her presence would affect him. Please, he said to whatever gods might be listening. Don't let me spoil this.

That night, Vincent stood guard while Yuffie and the clone slept. While he gazed out the window, a delicate voice behind him whimpered, "Vincent…" He turned and frowned when he saw it was Lucrecia – no; the clone – who was gazing dreamily at him.

"Keep your voice down," he scolded, gesturing at the sleeping Yuffie. Lucrecia's great green eyes fluttered innocently.

"Come closer and I will."

"I can hear you perfectly if you whisper."

"Oh. Of course. I'd forgotten… Forgive me."

"Hmph."

"But… what happened? Where are we?"

"You collapsed in the alleyway. I brought you here for safekeeping, until we decide what to do."

"Do? Whatever do you mean?"

"I need to know if you're a threat. If I feel I can trust you, I won't hand you over to the ones who are after you."

"Oh, Vincent… I don't believe you'll hand me over to anyone who might do me harm." She slid off the bed and approached him seductively. "We're together again. Isn't this what you wanted? It's all I ever think about."

She lifted her arms and took his face in her hands, but he quickly stepped free of her touch.

"Vincent, what's the matter? Why won't you hold me?" She approached him again and he planted his hands firmly on her shoulders.

"You… are not Lucrecia. You may have her face, her voice… her memories… but she is dead. I've moved on."

The clone sighed and turned away, her entire composure changing. "I was afraid of that. It's this girl, isn't it? Why, she's just a child. Whatever are you thinking?"

Vincent, still grasping her thing shoulders, squeezed hard with his fingers and spun the clone around to face Yuffie. "Do you see her?" he hissed. "They shot her with a dart that was intended for you. Thanks to you, I'm being followed, and she is no longer safe in my presence."

"I apologize for that, Vincent, but you can hardly blame me. The men who are after me are dangerous. But I am truly sorry if I've put you… or your friend in any danger. She is just a friend, right?"

"That is none of your concern."

"I think it is. Don't you see how much this is hurting me Vincent? Do you have any idea what I went through before I found you?" She shuddered, rubbing her arms as if to warm them. "He raped me, Vincent. And beat me. He claimed he was in love with me, but how can you hurt someone you love?"

"Hmph. You didn't seem to have much of a problem with it, as I recall."

"You're right," she admitted. "And I'm so sorry, Vincent. I'd give anything to take it all back… but I can't. I can only beg your forgiveness."

"I've already forgiven you. Long ago. It's all in the past, and I'd like to keep it that way."

"But I can't, Vincent. Don't you see? Since he brought me back, the only thing keeping me sane was the thought of being reunited with you."

Vincent only shook his head and whispered, "I'm sorry, but… that can never be."

Lucrecia – or rather the clone – bent forward and began weeping. He nearly reached out to comfort her, but thought better of it.

"Oh, Vincent. Don't you feel anything for me?"

"Pity, perhaps. Pity that you were brought back, only to suffer further at the hands of, yet, another mad scientist who claims he loves you."

"If pity is all you can offer, Vincent, I'll gladly accept it. Anything just to be on your mind at all." She stifled her tears then, took a deep breath, and sat down on the corner of the bed. "What do you intend to do with me?"

"I… haven't decided yet."

"I see… Well, you needn't worry. If you truly have stopped caring for me, I… I won't bring it up again."

Vincent raised an eyebrow at her. That was too easy, he thought. Then again, if she truly had Lucrecia's personality, she would accept his decision with grace and dignity. Perhaps he hadn't given her enough credit.

Then something crossed his mind. "What shall I call you?"

"Why not Lucrecia?"

"Because you're not Lucrecia, and I refuse to dishonor her by allowing you to claim her identity."

"Ouch. That was harsh, Vincent. Well, then, I suppose I can settle for Lulu. It's the name my mother used to call me as a child… Lucrecia's mother, I mean."

"Lulu is… acceptable."

"Glad to hear it," she muttered sarcastically. "So, what have you been doing with yourself, Vincent?"

"I… don't see how that's relevant."

"Just curious. Gosh, you sure are touchy. What happened to you?"

He glared at her. She knew damn well what had happened to him.

"I'm sorry… Sometimes my mind gets fuzzy. Probably some kind of clone side-effect."

"What made you collapse before?" he asked, eager to change the subject.

"I don't know," she said shortly. "Sometimes I just feel so drained, I lose consciousness."

"Then it's happened before?"

She nodded. "Once or twice. It seems to be getting worse…" Her tone was troubled as her voice trailed off.

"Perhaps you should get some more rest."

"Don't be silly, Vincent. It's nearly dawn, and I've been asleep for hours."

"Suit yourself." He wondered if Cloud would be awake yet. He closed the blinds on all the windows. "I'm going out into the hallway to make a call. Stay away from the windows and keep quiet."

"Don't worry about me. I'm just going to make some breakfast."

He worried for a moment about leaving Yuffie alone with Lulu, but he knew he would only be gone a moment.

Surprisingly, Cloud answered, and Vincent updated him on the situation.

"Why would anybody clone Lucrecia?" he asked.

"I believe it may have to do with those harassment reports in Orias' dossier. She mentioned… being raped."

"Sounds like we're dealing with a lunatic."

"Indeed. But I'd like to see if I can learn more from Lulu before I attempt to seek him out."

"Lulu?"

"The clone… it was a nickname."

"Are you sure you can handle this by yourself, Vincent? Considering your history with Lucrecia…"

"I'll be fine."

"If you say so. I'll let everyone know what's going on. Keep me posted."

"I will. Thanks, Cloud."