don't own, ….thank you for all the reviews. I promise on my muses cid and Vincent to write more for this fic.

It's still in the past and I'm not sure how it fits in with the rest but don't worry, cid will realise how much he cares for our favourite tortured soul!

Again sorry if it's not like previous chapters.

Anyhow, thanks again!

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Still in the past

The rocket wasn't that far from the captain's home. In fact, it was nearly in the backyard. The mousy woman they had greeted had disappeared back into the home, saying that she had to get things ready for the new president.

The former Turk had been tempted to ask what had happened to President Shin-Ra, who was Rufus? When did President Shin-Ra die? No one had really explained the current state of affairs of the world he was now awake in. he had had to create his own little explanation and found it sorely needing.

He could feel the excitement radiate from Cloud and Aeris, though he didn't allow it to pierce through his carefully erected shields . Emotions he had discovered much to his peril, were only there to get yourself killed.

"Think he would let us borrow it?" Aeris asked as they walked to the green rusting stairs.

The young flower girl's voice from the slums voice held so much hope for life. Vincent wondered if she ever had to experience the cold harsh reality of life or was she still in the happy-go-lucky stage?

Cloud paused, "I dunno. Maybe but we don't have much time so, even if he says no we still have to do something."

"He means we will steal the plane like common thieves," the words tasted bitter in Vincent's mouth.

The thought of stealing was disdainful. Common thieves did things like that, not a high ranking member of the Turks.

The ex-Turk got a dark look from Cloud, "It what the Turks do."

For that Vincent had no words. Is that what the Turks now meant? Did they now steal? Had they reverted to stealing? If they had fallen that low, then what else would they steep to? Granted, the Turks never did have a squeaky clean image but stealing?

"…Not when I was alive," Vincent said softly.

Aeris placed a gentle hand on his right forearm, "I'm sure we won't have to steal the plane. If we explain why we need it, he'd be more than happy to help."

Vincent retracted his arm like he had been burned by the touch, he didn't need to be comforted by this child. He didn't need pity, sympathy or empathy from anyone. Least of all those in the group he had allied himself with.

Cloud turned to the stairs and started to hike up them, "Come on. Who knows when Rufus will show up."

Being the gentleman, Vincent allowed Aeris to go first. He turned to catch a few of the townspeople looking at him oddly. He had heard all the whispers behind his back, felt every one of their stares as he walked with Cloud and Aeris.

It's not Cloud or the flower girl they're staring at, Gilian whispered, It's you. They're wondering what you are. If you will kill them in their sleep…

Don't you think I know that?! Vincent hissed back as he trudged up the stairs.

He didn't trust the ladder, it had been warped from exposure to heat and rusted. The rocket wasn't fairing much better either. Red rusty patches were visible from parts of the engine sections. The Shin-Ra logo on it fading and peeling.

"Come on slowcoach," Aeris playfully called back to him, "You should check out the view, it's amazing."

As usual, he refrained from answering. Merely looking up to the sky and seeing the clouds slowly moving across the bright blue vastness above him. The town would always be in favour good weather because of where it was.

He started his climb to the top of the ladder, mentally counting how many rings were missing. His metal claw clinked on the green metal every time he grabbed one. Each one threatened to give.

Minutes later he stood with Cloud and the half Cetra woman at the entrance of the rocket.

"That's a long way down," Cloud peered over the side of the flimsy railing, resisting the urge to spit like a child.

All three heard a loud curse coming from inside the rocket, "Fuck it all to hell! Stupid piece of Shin-fuckin'-Ra crap! Can't they build anything that aint fucked?!"

"Looks like we just missed him being in a good mood," Aeris whispered.

Cloud raised an eyebrow, "I think so too."

The former first class soldier pushed a small random button on the small pad next to the door, hoping it was the right one to enter. The door opened with a whoosh and revealed a dark green metal interior.

Without hearing a welcome or any other form of a greeting the trio walked in. A blonde stood to the left of the door, his attention focused on the small panel in front of him. Tools were scattered all around his feet, an empty tool box lay kicked to one side. Screws were littered and falling into the metal grating that consisted for a deck. Empty cigarette packets scrunched and thrown into a corner mingled with plastic coffee cups.

Vincent took a moment to look around, everything was rusting. Nothing was new and parts of it seemed to have been jury rigged. Welding scars ran down panels and bolts from make quick patch up jobs.

It didn't feel clinical, it felt human. Almost alive, lived in. It felt like someone's home.

Cloud tapped the blonde on the shoulder in an attempt to gain his attention, "Excuse me but are you the captain?"

"Captain? Yeah, I'm the captain," the blonde said as he turned round, "The names Cid."

Cloud shook hands with the older blonde, "I'm Cloud, this is Aeris and Vincent."

"That's fucking swell. The fuck do you want?" the captain asked with all the friendliness of a snake. Patience seemed to of passed this man.

He turned back to the panel as it started beeping for attention, all the while keeping his head partly turned to the group.

Cloud panicked for a moment before coolly asking a question. He needed to get on the good side of the captain if he wanted to borrow the bronco.

"Tell us about the rocket," Cloud smiled, if truth be told. He actually did want to learn about it.

The question made the older blonde beam in pride, "Not bad for a kid. Alright, I'll tell you…"

Vincent tuned out of the conversation, not really interested about learning how the space programme came into play but he couldn't tear his eyes away from the blue eyes of the captain. Never once did the blue eyes move from his down to his claw. There was no hint of questions behind them, just some form of a deep buried sadness that only a man who had suffered a loss could see. What was this man hiding so hard?

Cid kicked a panel, "…my dream is just a financial number to them. So when I heard that Rufus was headin over, well, they must be thinking' about startin up the space program. That's what we need, a young president!"

A failed dream? No…Vincent looked to where Aeris was standing. The flower girl listened intently to the conversation.

"When is Rufus is heading over here?" Cloud needed to know exactly when the smug arrogant president was arriving.

"Supposed to be the day," the captain said before looking at his watch, "Shit…he should be here by now."

Cid regarded the trio in front of him, trying to figure out why a group so odd looking had graced his small town. Were they the terrorists that had been reported on the news channels of late? The dangerous criminals?

His gaze lingered longer on the dark haired man who had said nothing throughout the conversation. Again, he locked eyes with him and Cid smiled before sticking out his hand.

He was showing an interest in him other than one of morbid fascination. That puzzled him but, at the same time, he liked being treated like a normal person. It made him feel some how human. Pity, it would only be for a short while, a few minutes at best.

"Vincent right?" he watched in some amusement as Vincent naturally began to offer his right hand but stopped.

The blonde had used his right hand, meaning he would have to use his claw to shake hands. Carefully and slowly, he extended his metal left 'hand' and very gently took the blonde's. It was shaken boldly and with confidence.

"I ain't a glass fucking doll," Cid offered, "You shake like my fucking dead grandpa."

Vincent stared at his claw, amazed at how at ease the blonde was. How trusting he was to allow this monster in front of him to grasp his hand without ripping it right off. Amazed at how at ease he was with the blonde. A smile tugged at his lips.

"Could we borrow the Tiny Bronco?" Cloud's question made Cid rip his hand from Vincent and turn sharply. None of the trio expected the blonde to explode at the simple request.

"Take the fucking Bronco?! Are you outta your freakin mind? She's my most cherished possession, no fucking way!"

Aeris pulled on Cloud's arm, "Jeez, we were only asking."

Vincent stepped back to allow them to leave the rocket, Cid's blue eyes softened as he looked at him.

"The fuck do they want it for?"

What do I say? We're on a quest to save the planet from Sephiroth? Vincent was at a loss for words, unsure of what to say. Whatever he did say would sound insane.

"……To save the planet," he uttered, "We just need to get a new mode of transport and we'll be out of your town before you know it."

The captain lighted a cigarette, it was clear that the answer had sparked an interest within the blonde. Vincent could see the inner fight going on as to whether or not he should give them the plane.

"I can't let ya have her. She's my sanity. Sides, last person to borrow one of my things never gave her back."

Vincent frowned, "Come with us then."

"Nope," Cid turned back reluctantly back to the panel, "If I want to get my dream…I have to stay here."

The ex-Turk walked out of the door, narrowly avoiding Cloud as he stood near the doorway. He said nothing as he passed the smaller man.

"Well? What did he say?" Cloud called to him.

"No," Vincent stopped at the ladder, his eyesight catching sight of a Shin-Ra truck drawing ever nearer the town………

~~~~~~~~~

30 minutes later…

Vincent squeezed his eyes shut as the tiny plane hurtled towards the huge ocean. He was never a big fan on flying. If man was meant to fly then he would have wings. Had no one realised that even birds crashed into solid objects?

Cloud struggled with the controls, fighting against the winds and gravity. The effort made even more difficult to achieve because of the busted tail section of the plane. Whatever direction the plane was wanting to head, it was going. Unfortunately for the four on it, the direction was straight into the ocean.

Aeris gripped the wing of the plane for dear life, the wind blowing her long hair almost out of the pink bow. A steady look of concentration marred her flawless looks.

Cid, Vincent could here above all the wind and Cloud's shouts, was screaming at Cloud for getting his plane shot to hell. Calling the three idiots and insulting their collective heritage.

Cloud knows how to make a good impression doesn't he? Gilian asked rather polity, I mean, he pretty much took the plane for a joy ride. Mind you, we didn't say whether or not we'd return it in one piece.

…No, we merely obtained it from Palmer. He was stealing it from the captain. We simply stole it from him, not the captain, Vincent answered back in his reasonable voice, So really, we're stealing it back for the captain.

That made no sense, Gilian responded.

………, Vincent could smell the salty water from below him. It was getting ever nearer, ever closer. The scent of faint cigarette smoke came closer.

"Hold on to your drawers and don't piss in them, it's gonna be one hell of a splash!" the captain bellowed from beside him.

Vincent took a sharp intake of breath, his eyes opened as the blonde snaked an arm round his waist and pulled the ex-Turk closer to the wing of the plane.

"No son-of-a-bitch has ever died when a Highwind has been on a fucking plane," Cid muttered.

Whatever answer Vincent had brewing in his head was quickly cut short by the sudden and violent way the small pink plane crashed into the water. All four were thrown into the water, stunned by the impact.

Vincent gasped for air as he rose to the surface, his long hair clinging to his skull and face as he blindly groped for the edge of the plane. At least the captain didn't lie about the splash.

Cid, Cloud and Aeris almost came up on cue, one after another as though they had timed it. Cloud's hair drooped down across his features, making him look a little normal.

"…Next time, I fly!" Cid spluttered as he grabbed the edge of the wing. He hauled himself up in one easy movement, being helped up by Vincent.

Within minutes the entire team was safely on board, soaked but in one piece. Cid was leaning over the side, trailing his hand in the water. Aeris sat at the end of the wing, trying to dry her hair in the midday sun. Cloud stood in the centre, hand raised over his eyes trying to see the shore.

"She won't fly no more," Cid muttered.

"Can't we use it as a boat?" Cloud suggested, trying to be helpful.

Vincent smiled under his cowling as he watched the pilot once again explode at the confusing shocking blonde Ex-Soldier. Had he really expected any other answer?

Once again he lost interest in the upcoming conversation, falling back to his thoughts. Why had Cid tried to help him? Why did he put his arm around him?

Why did the pilot tell him on the rocket that he wasn't going to join them but then, quite literally jump aboard as they flew above his head? What had changed his mind?

"…skulls?" Cloud's voice filtered back into his mind.

"Yeah, anyone dumb enough to go up against the Shin-Ra nowadays has gotta be a numbskull. I like it," Cid slapped Cloud on the shoulder.

Aeris looked over to Vincent, "You okay over there?"

Vincent said nothing, he turned his back to the three behind him. He was surprised when Cid tapped him on the shoulder, his blue eyes looking at him with disapproval.

"The lady asked ya a question."

"I'm alright."

The new member of AVALACHE stood a little closer to him, much closer than anyone in the team had ever attempted to do. He stood a few inches shorter than Vincent but was broader across the shoulders.

Cid placed a hand on his shoulder, "Ya sure?"

For some reason Vincent looked again into the captain's eyes, trying to look for something that wasn't there. Looking for pity and sympathy. Was he surprised to find none? What he did see was concern, did the stranger really care for him?

No what he found was something else. What he saw was friendship…he resisted the urge to grin, he'd just found his friend in the group.

~~~~~~~~

"I'm alright."

"Bull fucking shit," a familiar voice drawled, "Ya passed the fuck out on me."

Vincent opened his eyes, once again seeing concern. He heard a second set of footsteps behind him.

"Shera," Cid answered as he saw the question fly into his friend's eyes, "She came bout an hour or so back."

The former Turk struggled to sit up, his head reeling. The blonde in front of him was fully dressed, his hair however, still looked like he'd been playing with the electrical socket.

"I was…answering a question you asked when we first met," Vincent gratefully took the cup of water from the captain, taking a small sip from it.

Cid was struggling with a smile of amusement and of confusion, he settled for confusion.

"You are one odd person," Cid shook his head, "But I wouldn't change it for the world."

"Are you ready to go?" Shera asked politely.

Cid looked over to her, he nodded.

"You head down first. I'll get Vince dressed and settle the bill," Cid stood up, wandering over to get Vincent's shirt from the other bed.

"Okay," Shera stopped beside Vincent and smiled, "It's good to meet you again Mr Valentine."

All Vincent could do was nod, "As with you."

"Okay, let's get you up without falling flat on your fucking ass," Cid headed towards him with a playful smile as Shera left the room.

The captain pulled Vincent up too quickly for even himself to properly gauge. He fell back as Vincent toppled on top of him. Had anyone entered they would of seen them in a compromising position.

Cid stared at Vincent's pale lips, he could hear his pulse thunder in his ears. Vincent was pinning him to the floor, intentionally or not, he couldn't quite decide but a small voice spoke from the back of his mind.

Test the water Highwind! Say it was an accident!

Cid followed up on the action, fully expecting the one on top to push away. Instead he was pushed further back as Vincent gently kissed him first.

"Captain?"

That one word seemed to echo throughout his mind. Captain? Seconds passed until the name of the one person who called him that sprang into his head.

Shera.

Oh fuck…he thought.