Ye Have Little Faith

They're gone! Hallelujah! Celebrate!

Vincent sighs as he sinks back into the couch, disturbing my thoughts.

Well, at least most of them are.

Vincent and Barret are still here, both preparing to leave.

Currently, Vincent and I are sitting on the couch. It was a long night, especially if you take in the fact that it was a crappy night. I mean, the night before I spent it sleeping with Tifa, and this time I was crammed in my room with Barret, who was convinced the couch was going to give him a bad back. Or so he said.

That was the lamest excuse ever.

It didn't help that I haven't really felt like talking to Barret. I don't know where he is, but I know he hasn't left yet.

Damn.

Vincent's eyes slowly move to look at me, and I swallow, nervous under his gaze. I don't like it when people stare at me, especially with recent events.

I feel like everyone's just trying to picture me in blue boxers.

Wait...damn! Mental images! No!

I squeeze my eyes shut in pain as I imagine Vincent imagining me in blue boxers.

Oh dear God, what have I done?!

"Cloud, you okay?"

I open my eyes; it's Marlene. She's looking at me with a puzzled expression on her face; Vincent is still watching me as well, his head propped up on his arm.

"Yes." Is all I can manage at this point.

She smiles, "You can have Pen-Pen if you want! He'll cheer you up!"

Pen-pen?

This seems vaguely familiar... A chill runs down my spine, and the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

Why do I have a feeling this does not bode well?

Marlene reaches behind her back and pulls out a rubber penguin.

No! Not that thing!

I recognize it. The penguin...penguin of doom as I like to refer to it as. Marlene bought it a while back, and man is that thing annoying. And to prove this, Marlene gives 'Pen-pen' a solid squeeze.

Squeak!

And so it begins.

Squeak! Squeak-squeak-squeak-squeaky-squeak!

Make it stop!

Sqqqquuuuueeeeaaaakkkkkk!

"No! She found Pen-Pen!" I hear Tifa shriek from somewhere upstairs.

At least we will all suffer.

Squeaky! Squeak!

It takes all my strength not to slap myself in this moment. I remember what had happened to our beloved Pen-Pen. Tifa hid him. She wouldn't let me destroy him because Marlene had bought it with her own money. But she'd be damned if she'd have that stupid penguin squeaking day in and day out. Those were her words exactly.

I don't know where she hid it, but it apparently was enough to keep the stupid thing hidden for a few months. I honestly had thought Marlene had forgotten about.

"See? He cheers me up right well!" Marlene squeezes the penguin again.

I force a hesitant smile and try to block out the squeaks. I can practically feel the waves of doom radiating away from Vincent. It's like a prophecy of death for the little squeaking bastard.

Marlene tilts her head, "Don't you like him Mr. Vincent?"

Vincent stares at the girl, "No."

Marlene grins bigger, "That's just because you don't know Pen-Pen!"

Marlene slams the penguin down onto the table beside of the couch, where it lets out a long, fulfilling, high-pitched squeak. I cringe as she squeezes the thing with all her might.

I just want to crawl away and bury myself somewhere.

Marlene lets go of the penguin, leaving it sitting on the table. Then 'it' happens in the blink of an eye.

Apparently that was one too many squeaks for Vincent.

The small dagger plunged through the head of the squeaky penguin, running it straight through to the table, pinning it there. The penguin gave out a pitiful, dying cry in its last moments of squeaky goodness. Marlene let out a frightened gasp, and any other little girl would've burst into tears. But God, she is not just any other girl. She was raised by Barret, and that in itself...it's an amazing feat she's made it this far with all of her limbs intact.

Marlene's brow furrowed at the seeming death of her beloved penguin, then raised her eyes to look at Vincent.

"You weren't loved enough as a child, were you?"

I think it took us both a moment to register what she just said...and when I did...I about died.

Vincent's eyes narrowed as he regarded the girl.

Marlene tipped her head back for a second in thought. "You aren't a happy person, are you, Mr. Valentine?"

Oh, this is priceless...classic. Oh how I wish everyone was here to witness this moment in time. I actually let a small scoff escape, and Vincent turns his deadly look on me. I clear my throat, and nervously shift to regain my composure.

Vincent's attention returns to the child, "And what...exactly, would you like me to do about it?"

"Nothing." She merely states. "You just need a hug."

My eyes fling open at this statement, and I have to fight from just...rolling on the floor with laughter. Of course, my mood changes the moment I actually see Marlene moving up to hug Vincent, and I notice his hand grip tighter on the hilt of his dagger.

"Now...now Marlene. Let's not bother Vincent anymore." I state, swallowing.

"But I'm just trying to help!"

"But he's beyond help...even Vincent knows that much." Damn...did I actually say that out loud?

Vincent's cool eyes slide to me, "No...Cloud. Maybe she's right. Maybe all I need is a hug."

I'm trying to figure out if he's mocking me or Marlene here.

"Wh-what?" I ask, eyes wide.

"Goodie!" Marlene cried, before flinging herself onto Vincent's chest.

Oh dear God.

I understand...Vincent was just trying to...mess with my head, but there was no way in hell he was prepared for that. Even I wasn't prepared for that. We're both just sitting there in shock. Vincent's eyes...Vincent, people...went wide with shock. I've never seen him look so surprised before. Obviously the man has never been hugged by a sugar-high Marlene before.

While Marlene was putting her heart and soul into this moment, Vincent was lying there, stiff and unsure how to react. He hesitantly patted her on the back once with his hand.

Marlene pulled up and resumed standing before us. Vincent still sat there stiff and almost waiting for the girl to pounce him again.

"See? Don't you feel better?" She grinned big.

Oh I wish I had a camera, or something to record this moment. Marlene is bringing out some human emotions in Vincent I think he had forgotten about. He really didn't know what he was getting himself into when he joined up with us all those years ago, did he?

"Yes...thank you." Vincent states, and Marlene prepares to pounce again.

And of course at this opportune moment Barret just happens to walk into the room.

"Oh shit! Damn! Marlene! Don't do it!" He yells as he watches his daughter fling herself onto Vincent...yet again.

Barret is beside us in a second, and pulling Marlene off of Vincent.

"Now what did I tell you about Valentine, Marlene?" Barret hisses into her ear.

"Not to touch him." She replied.

Barret returns his attention to us, Vincent watching him strangely.

"Sorry bout that, Vince. Marlene gets a little excited sometimes." He states.

"It's fine, Barret. Apparently I needed a hug, and she was happy to comply."

I can't explain the look in Barret's eyes, and that's what sent me into actually laughing. I'd managed to hold it in so far, but man, after that...there's just no way. Vincent gives me a cold look as I lean over onto the arm of the couch and laugh.

"And it's nice to see that Cloud has finally learned to laugh again." There's an ulterior motive to Vincent's speak, and I know it.

Needless to say, I stop laughing.

"Excuse me?" I ask, catching my breath.

"Well, just after all the recent events, it's nice to see that you can laugh after all the laughing that's been done at you."

I swallow, that was quite the insult there ol' buddy, ol' pal.

"It's nice to see that your spirit hasn't been broken." Vincent calm and cool and collected.

Damn...I don't have anything to say to that.

"To true, man, to true." Barret replied, Marlene nodding her head.

"What...?Are you trying to tell me you have no faith in me?" I ask, dubiously.

Vincent watches me for a moment, "For the most part...yes."

I'm at a loss. What the hell? I saved the world man!

"How can we have faith in a man who doesn't even have faith in himself?"

Oh...now that was cold...that was cold and low.

"I'm sorry, what?" I state. "I have no faith in myself? What, do I have to prove it to you people?"

"If you wouldn't mind." Vincent inclines his head towards me.

I study him for a moment, "Fine. I will."

I should really think about what I'm saying before I actually say it...it's a good thing to considor.

"Fine. If you have faith in yourself, you'll have no problem telling Tifa that you love her."

My mouth dropped. I normally can keep that from happening...but damn! And I'm not even going to look at Barret right now.

And how the hell did he know? The only people I told was Cid and that stupid ninja- ...

Son of a bitch.

A/N: They're all out to get him, I swear.

lilmizgrunge: I didn't even think about pitying Cid...heh, guess I wasn't taking him into account when Shera slapped him upside the head with a book.

Janettelle: Hello! With friends like those, who needs enemies? And Cloud, I think he finally deserves the chance to be normal. And I'm glad to see you're for the whole cloti thing...heh

Sabith: I updated as quick as possible, and I must say...that wasn't one of my fav chapters either, but I couldn't get the image of Vincent ragging on Yuffie out of me head.

ellumina: She sure is...she's a fun character to harass everyone with. And that line...probably my fav out of the last chappie.

anonynous: Yes! Nanaki is a superior species. People just can't get past the whole four-legged fur covered beastial creature.

Rhyssa: You caught me. That oneshot was just a distraction. hides head in shame but since reading your review, I can't get the image of Cloud headbutting Barret in an attempt to impale him out of my head. I don't think it would go in Cloud's favor, though.

elebelly: If he'd been a few seconds later, where would the fun be in that? And don't worry about reviewing all the time, I know you care, and that's enough.

Sparx: To torment Spike is the only way to go, I'm afraid. Copics? Goodness, I don't even want to image in the price on that bill. And you're welcome for teh humor, hopefully this chappie inspired you some more. I would love to see a picture of Vincent stabbing poor Pen-Pen.

Rend: hehe, DO you know the answer? Or is this all a big lie I'm fabricating? just to crush your hopes and dreams! Cue evil laughter No, but really...the kids are easy to get things across adults can't. They're very useful in a plot full of clueless adults.

Toons: More loyal? Tis fine. I don't expect a review from everyone, but I like to give back. I'd like to get paid for writing too...unfortuantely Squeenix denies me rights to publish...damn them...and my muse perfers peanut-butter crackers, just for future reference...that or cheesecake.

Calistar: It was roughly three in the morning when i posted this. Heh, thanks for the meaningful review. I love any type of review, really. And hello Haruki! Cidney...I just couldn't resist it.

Zenbon: Picturing a dangling Cloud is priceless, I must say. And Cidney is unisex I believe. I have a male friend whose name is lindsay...I think Cid can handle Cidney, then.

Iskra: Oh, wouldn't we all like to see Cloud in his boxers. I'm sorry about your friend, and I'm happy to cheer you up.

Bianka: Don't fight it! Embrace the story. Yes, I completely understand about writers-block. Tis a pain, and are you speaking of Always in my heart? I hope you overcome your writers block and update that. It's a wonderful story, and I've been looking for an update for a while, and I hope you can make it as angstful as you need it in order to post it. I have wit? Now that's surprising. Unfortuanetly now that I have tackled Calc I, I have moved on to II...pray for me...And I'll pray for your mother too. I wonder when we'll hit 400?

Just mystical: I felt that Shera's got quite the fire to her...and books impower her...makes perfect sense. I'm glad you enjoyed the chap, and I wonder if it's actually possible for Cloud's hair to pierce skin? Certainly looks like it.

Silver chocobo: UPDATED! And thanks for the spears of...love.

Teefie: Thank you so much! It's the only time I believe Cloud will ever listen to Cid.

Tincent: Man, now I'm going to have to write something about cloud taking his frustration out on his hair. Thanks for the inspiration, and the reviews. you're always so kind!

SEPHY! A shotty? Oh...If I had a sniper or torque bow, you wouldn't get close enough to do any damage. BURN! No seriously, you'd probably kill me like...ten times over before I finally killed you. I bought my friend a purse for her b-day...my friend Lindsay was like, do you intend on actually giving that to her, or are you just looking for an excuse to buy it for yourself? Ah! Yuffie-hater? Ah well, can't love 'em all, I suppose. And I'm glad you're enjoying Tifa. And for Halo? I'm surprised i remember the controls after playing GoW so much.

Teef: thanks!

tri17: But we all know whether she loves him or not! right? RIGHT?

onewingedangel: Thanks so much! Yes, humor and romance are a good combination.

Till next time loves!