***Okay, everybody – just to let you know, there are probably only going to be one or two more chapters. Unless I think of something else to lengthen it, it's coming very near its end. That was quick! Well, we'll see what happens! Hope you enjoy it.***

Chapter Eighteen – Making it Right

Yuffie was admitted to Edge General Hospital for the second time in little over a week. Godo had insisted on coming along, and he had not spoken a word to Vincent since they'd boarded the airship. He hovered over Yuffie now, who was still unconscious, forbidding Vincent from entering Yuffie's room.

That was fine. He didn't intend to hang around long; just until Tifa arrived, and it wasn't long before she came rushing toward him where he stood outside Yuffie's room.

"Vincent! What's happened now?"

Vincent's chin dropped. "Yuffie's been shot. She… is expected to recover, but the doctors can't guarantee anything."

"They're usually right about things like that, Vincent." She examined his face for a moment. "Are you alright?"

He nodded. "I asked you to come here because I'm leaving shortly. The men who hurt Yuffie also took Lulu."

"You're going after her?"

"I can't do anything to help Yuffie. All I can do is try to save Lulu."

Out of the blue, Tifa stepped forward and took him in a warm embrace.

"Tifa?"

"I'm so sorry, Vincent."

"For what?"

"You try so hard, but things never seem to work out well for you. It just… makes me sad. I'm sorry."

She pulled away then and Vincent was stunned by her sudden emotional outburst.

"Tifa. I've decided to end things with Yuffie."

"What! How can you say that while she's laying there in that hospital bed! She needs you now more than ever."

"No, she doesn't need me. I only cause her unnecessary pain and suffering. It's better for her if I stay away. Her father has requested that I do, and I am inclined to oblige him."

"That fat old fart has no business interfering in Yuffie's private life! I'll set him straight right now!"

Vincent took her shoulders firmly before she could burst into Yuffie's room and chew Godo to pieces on his behalf.

"He's right, Tifa. She'll be better off without me."

"Vincent, don't go. She'll be so heartbroken when she wakes up."

"Perhaps, but this is the way it must be. I've made my decision. I won't be coming back to Edge, nor anywhere else I expect Yuffie to be."

At that moment, from inside the room, Yuffie stirred slightly and whispered his name. "Vincent…"

Vincent felt his heart drop and gazed into the room to look at her, then shifted his gaze to Godo whose glare only reinforced his determination.

Tifa gestured toward Yuffie and shook her head. "At least wait until she wakes up?"

Vincent closed his eyes tightly. "I can't!" he nearly shouted. "If I wait, I know I won't be able to go. Please, just give Yuffie this letter when she wakes up."

He handed Tifa a sealed envelope addressed simply to Yuffie Kisaragi.

Tifa implored him with her large eyes. "Vincent, don't do this. Running away from your true feelings is… the worst mistake you can make. I should know."

Vincent wavered for a moment then sighed. "I'm sorry, Tifa." And with that, he left.

As he passed through the lobby, the receptionist waved cheerfully at him. It was all he could do to keep from ripping her service counter to splinters. Instead, he walked past without acknowledging her, and stepped out into the chilly night air.

He made his way through narrow side streets, avoiding main roads as much as possible. After a few moments he came to a wall plastered with posters. One caught his eye and he stopped to examine the Vincent Valentine Official Fan Club poster. He knew Yuffie had put it up at some point before he'd involved her in this dangerous affair. She'd thought so highly of him, and it had nearly gotten her killed.

He let out an agonized roar as he swiped at the poster with his claw, shredding it to confetti, then quickened his pace to a run. He didn't stop until he'd reached the outskirts of Edge where Cid waited for him with the Shera.

Once aboard, he went to the bridge and let Cid know he was ready to leave. The grizzly pilot handed him a paper cup filled with hot coffee. Vincent took it absently. "No booze in there, so drink up."

Normally Vincent didn't drink coffee, but it didn't seem to matter now. He guzzled the dark brew quickly and made his way to the glass dome window, watching the landscapes streak past below the ship.

"So," Cid said, leaving the controls and joining Vincent. "Where are we headed, exactly?"

"Back to Wutai. The southeastern peninsula."

"How do ya figure that's where the girl is?"

"They were flying a helicopter. I doubt they could have crossed the ocean with all that weight on board. So they must have been close."

Cid nodded, accepting Vincent's logic.

"We'll get you there, Vince. Also, I've decided I'm gonna lend you a hand."

Vincent looked up at him questioningly.

"I know, I know. This is your mission, and you think you need to do this on your own, but that's bullshit, man! I think we all learned how powerful teamwork can be travelin' around with that punk, Cloud. I'm goin' with ya and that's all there is to it!"

Vincent nodded. "I could use your help, Cid. Thank you."

"That's it? No argument? Damn, Vince, you okay?"

"No. But I know my chances of rescuing Lulu and getting out alive are poor on my own. I'll take all the help I can get."

"Then it's a damn good thing I invited Cloud to join us."

"Cloud?"

The yellow-haired leader entered as if on cue and nodded at Vincent. "I heard you could use some help."

"I hardly know what to say. Thank you. Both of you."

"Hey, that's what friends are for, Vincent. When are you gonna learn that?" Cid slapped him on the back and returned to the controls. Cloud stood with Vincent in silence for a moment.

"You know… I'm no good at speeches. I just want you to know you're not alone, Vincent."

"Thank you, Cloud. I think I'm finally beginning to see that."

"So you're really not coming back when this is over?"

Vincent shook his head.

"Too bad. You guys looked really happy together."

Vincent sighed and Cloud took the hint, leaving him alone.

Later on, Vincent was preparing for sleep and, as he pulled his wallet out of his pocket, something made him open it. He pulled out the picture Yuffie had given him and traced the outlines of her face with his finger. In the photo, she was happy and healthy, as she should be. As she would be from now on.

Cid set the Shera down a few miles from the cave Vincent suspected Professor Orias' mercenaries were holding Lulu. The three companions set out at a quick pace until the mouth of the cave was in sight. From there, Vincent scouted the area through his sniper scope.

"Hmph. No guards."

Cloud nodded. "They're probably not expecting anyone to find them."

"I dunno, Vince," Cid interjected. "You sure this is the right place? It's kind of a long shot, don't you think?"

Vincent shook his head. "I'm sure this is where they took Lulu."

"If you say so. Let's get our asses down there."

Once inside the cave, things seemed eerily quiet. There were a few monster attacks, but nothing serious, and the party was beginning to think they'd come to the wrong place when a scream echoed through the cavern.

Only Vincent heard it, but the others were hot on his trail when he began sprinting toward it. When he'd found the source of the scream, Vincent practically skidded to a halt. Cloud and Cid nearly slammed into him.

The cavern had been transformed into a medical laboratory, fully stocked. It appeared, too, as though Orias had been living in this place. A small bed could be seen tucked into a rocky crevice near a paper-littered desk.

Lulu was restrained on a steel table and was now still, as a needle was pulled from her arm. The man in the lab coat holding the syringe regarded Vincent with irritation.

"Valentine. Why am I not surprised to see you and your little friends?"

"Let her go, Orias, or I swear by the planet I'll rip your heart out of your chest faster than you can blink."

Orias simply rolled his eyes and snapped his fingers, signaling half a dozen mercenaries forward.

Cloud looked up at Vincent as if to ask whether or not he intended to fight. Vincent shook his head subtly.

"The girl, Orias. I'm in no mood to watch six more lives be snuffed for the sake of your mad experiments."

"I assure you, Vincent, these are my best men. You will find they bring forth quite a challenge."

"Then you leave us no choice." Vincent maintained his composure even as he glimpsed the fear in his opponents' eyes. Then he took a deep breath and summoned the beast within.

Cloud and Cid stepped aside as the demonic creature exploded from Vincent's elegant form and flew at their enemies in a maelstrom of flames.

Those quick enough to escape the beast flare attack were easily dispatched by Cloud or Cid, and moments later six bodies – three of them charred beyond recognition – lay scattered on the cave floor. Vincent assumed his natural form and strode forward, clutching the scientist by his throat and lifting him several inches off the ground. Orias struggled to pry the long fingers loose, to no avail. Vincent's eyes flashed in rage.

"Tell me, Orias. Just what was the point of this sickening experiment?" He dropped the man who fell to the ground in an unbalanced heap.

Orias rubbed his throat as he panted for air. "You of all people should understand my reasons. You loved her as well as I did. And, like me, you quickly learned you couldn't have her."

"Lucrecia…"

"And yet even the clone does not want me. She ran to you, Vincent. Not me. Never me."

"You believed you could force her to have feelings for you?"

"And why not? If I am the only man in her life, she was bound to form an attraction to me eventually. But, no… it was your name she whispered into the night. The first chance she got, she ran to you. How I hate you, Vincent Valentine. How your very name makes me ill."

He struggled to his feet then and shook his head.

"As you can see, the clone is not doing so well." Vincent examined Lulu; the graying of her skin had spread much further, and there were patches all over her body now. Even her hair was turning white.

"She's degrading, isn't she?"

"Well, well, well… you know a thing or two about clones, I see. Then you must also know she hasn't got long to live. I suggest you leave her to me. I will ensure no further harm will come to her."

"I can't do that."

"You'll only expedite her worsening condition if you attempt to flee with her. Her fragile existence is only shortened by stressful situations."

"You're in no position to stop me, Orias. I'm taking her away from here, away from you."

"That's where you're wrong, Valentine. You see, without me, Lucrecia will not survive. The drug I just gave her contained a serum I alone have the knowledge to produce. This serum is the only thing that can reverse the degradation and stabilize her condition. Without me, she will die in a matter of weeks. I informed her of this just before you arrived, and I don't think she'll be willing to leave my side again."

"You abuse her. She told me you raped her. She would choose death over life with you."

"You are, of course, entitled to your opinions, Mr. Valentine. They matter little to me at this point."

Vincent weighed his options, glancing over at Cloud and Cid for guidance. Cid just shrugged remorsefully. Cloud, on the other hand, gave him a firm nod and tightened his grip on the hilt of his sword. He knew they'd be with him no matter what he chose to do. Even so, he did not feel it was his place to decide for Lulu when he life was at stake.

Orias interrupted his thoughts then. "Oh, Vincent. I always liked you. You were so spirited and good-natured. Not like the others. The Turks seemed to attract so many power hungry maniacs. You were different. Now, look at you. It's truly sad. Tell me, how long did you sleep? It must have been near on thirty years for you to still appear so young."

Vincent muttered through gritted teeth, "I am eternal, thanks to Hojo's meddling."

Orias burst out in laughter then. "Is that what you think? Interesting. Perhaps I'll just let you go on believing that."

"Don't listen to him, Vince," Cid spat. "He's trying to mess with you. You were in that damn filthy coffin for thirty years and never aged a day."

Orias' laughter finally ceased and he shook his head. "It may interest you to know, Professor Hojo and I worked on the project that created you together. It was all diagrams and theories, of course – Hojo didn't actually find a subject to work on until after I was gone. But it truly amazes me you don't know more about yourself. How long did you say you slept? Thirty years? That's about right, isn't it? But several have passed since your awakening. Am I right?"

Vincent forced his mouth to move. "What are you saying?"

Then Orias' laughter resumed. "No, I can't! It's too much fun!"

Vincent held back his anger, knowing harming him would doom Lulu's chances of survival. Shockingly, Cloud burst forward and with a powerful overhead swing, hacked Orias' left hand off. The scientist began screaming wildly as he cradled the wound. "You bastard! What have you done?"

Cloud smirked as he walked slowly back toward Vincent. He looked up at him and said quietly, "Nothing like irony."

Vincent recognized the symbolism then and looked down at the claw that had replaced his own hand. Then he looked back at Cloud and nodded before approaching Orias who had crumpled to the ground.

"Give me all the serum you've made so far."

"Y-you… Can't… save her!"

"I can ensure she will die peacefully, which is more than I can promise you."

The professor lifted his other arm and pointed weakly to a black med kit on the desk. Cloud immediately stepped forward and grabbed the kit, checking the contents. "Only three syringes in here."

"That's all I have, I swear! Resources… are scarce. Please. You must help me. I'm losing too much blood."

"A fitting end for a man like you." The image of Yuffie lying in a pool of blood in her father's garden came to his mind unbidden and his lip twitched in response. "Tell me how to make more of the serum or I'll let you bleed to death right here."

"It's too… complicated… You… wouldn't be able…" He was losing consciousness.

"He's not gonna make it, Vince," Cid said quietly.

Vincent reluctantly produced the Cure material and placed it in a slot on the Cerberus. The wound healed slightly as he cast Cure 3 and Orias' eyes reopened.

"You… you saved me."

"For her," Vincent growled, gesturing toward Lulu. "Not for you. I need you to make more serum now, or I swear I'll end you. It will be a very long and painful death."

"I'm sorry, Vincent." The sincerity in his voice took Vincent off guard. "I cannot produce more of the serum."

"He's lying!" Cloud shouted frantically.

"No. I'm not. You see… I didn't create it. It was someone else's work."

"Whose?"

"A man long dead. During the Wutai war, there was a renegade Soldier named Genesis. A scientist named Hollander assisted him in cloning himself… He soon learned that the clones did not survive long. He produced the serum shortly before his death. It took me decades to track down the location of his laboratory and find the serum. What I have… is all that ever existed."

"Then what you said before was a lie," Cloud said, seemingly shocked at the dishonesty. "She wouldn't survive any longer with you than with us."

Orias nodded slowly. "I'm afraid so."

Vincent shook his head. "Then there is nothing we can do for her."

"There is something… Take her, Vincent. Take her far away, somewhere she can be free and happy."

"Why the sudden change of heart?" Cid chimed in, lighting a cigarette.

"I've done terrible things… Things I am not proud of. All I ever wanted was for her to love me." His eyes drifted toward Lulu. "But that isn't Lucrecia. She made her decision, and sadly, it cost her her life and her dignity."

"A little late for repentance," Vincent scolded.

Orias gazed up at him questioningly. "Better late than never. Wouldn't you agree, Vincent Valentine?"

"Cid, can you radio for the Shera to meet us outside the cave?"

"Sure thing, bud." Cid pulled out his phone and dialed while Vincent turned again toward the cluttered desk.

Cloud seemed to red his thoughts. "We need to destroy the research data."

Orias' shoulders fell, but he did not protest.

Vincent nodded and rose to his feet, then proceeded to free Lulu from the table. He lifted her carefully and turned to Cloud. "Can you carry him?"

Cloud turned to the professor and nodded.

"No! Leave me. I… I don't want to go on like this."

"Don't be stupid," Cloud said, hoisting the man into his arms. "Everyone deserves an opportunity to make up for their past."

Vincent knew Cloud understood that better than anyone; perhaps even better than himself. Orias would live to redeem himself, and Lulu… well, Lulu would live long enough to spend a few months without having to worry about anybody coming after her. Vincent would made sure of that; he planned to remain with her to make certain she received her serum injections. He would also be there when she returned to the planet. Nobody should have to die alone.