Chapter 37
Neighborhood
Tifa lingered too long in bed, cursing at the clock. A hurried kiss to Vincent, and she jumped into the shower, no time to dwell on his frowning displeasure at her hustle to leave his arms. With the party to cater in West Village, she wished they'd slept at Vincent's house instead.
A small feast adorned Molly's breakfast table three hours later as Tifa cheerfully tended sweetmeats on her portable rolling kitchenette. She even brought her Seventh Heaven apron, intent on playing this like a professional. Free advertisement.
"Has anyone heard from Liza?"
"No, Rosa," Molly replied from her perch on an overstuffed chair. "She's been in the hospital all week, poor thing."
Tifa caught a glimpse of Molly's sad expression as everyone quietly absorbed the news. Their anxiety was a physical presence. Which one might be next?
"Maybe we should do something for her," Rosa suggested, her hand trembling as she brought cheese to her lips. She was too slim, not as ill as Liza, but visibly struggling with her pregnancy.
"What a great idea!" a redhead with a freckled nose said. "Let's paint the baby crib. No! We should make a quilt!"
The women cooed, chitchatting about squares, patterns, and colors. Tifa scanned her spread of veggies, meats, cheeses, and her now famous Banora Apple pie laid out for the party's enjoyment, fearing she had made too much. The ladies lacked the usual appetite common with pregnancy, though the food wouldn't waste. Pete would devour any leftovers. She wondered if he'd asked Vincent to join his squad in Deepground.
The doorbell rang, and Molly bounced in her seat, looking over her shoulder. "I wonder who that could be. I thought everyone who RSVP'd was here already."
"I'll get it, Molly." Tifa peeked through the peephole, flipping the lock.
"This is a bad idea. Why am I even here?"
Tifa swung the door open. "Cissnei! Kunsel!"
Kunsel held his girlfriend in place on the doormat.
"Hey, Tifa." Cissnei wiggled two fingers, head lowered.
"I'll just get going." Kunsel stepped backward down the porch.
Cissnei glared as he retreated. "Coward." She faced Tifa with an irritated sigh.
"Come on in, Cissnei."
Cissnei reluctantly let Tifa drag her inside, warily eyeing the women congregating in the den like they would morph into an angry mob and attack. Tifa smothered her smile, certain she'd never before seen the little Turk exhibit fear.
She pinned Tifa with imploring puppy dog eyes. "You're not leaving, are you?"
His earpiece crackled.
Pete—Roll call. East corridor clear.
Frankie—West, clear.
Crackle.
When no one else chimed in, Vincent answered.
Vincent—North clear.
Pete—Just leaves you, Dan.
Crackle.
Pete—Dan, report.
Crackle. Vincent discerned a scraping sound.
Pete—Dan!
Nothing.
Pete—Huddle south. Proceed with caution and report unfriendlies.
They'd discovered another laboratory under Sector 4's debris and spread out to cover more ground, keeping close contact via ear link. No sign of recent activity or evidence of Brukho.
Vincent cautiously raced through the darkened tunnel, leery of whatever had incapacitated the SOLDIER.
Footsteps rapidly approached from Vincent's left. Frankie dropped his sword and pointed. Vincent heard it then, clanging metal and a hiss. An open door revealed a storage room covered in viscera and snakeskin.
On the far side, Dan wrestled a giant Heg snake into a headlock—as much as possible to stranglehold a snake. Several feet away, a smaller serpent looped itself in a twisting knot around Dan's rapier, the SOLDIER's silver bracer and earpiece grinding into broken pieces under its coil.
"A little help here!" Dan gnashed his teeth as Frankie sprang into a flip, swinging his blade overhead to slice the larger Heg's tail. As the serpent writhed, bleeding out as its body curled around Dan's legs, Vincent sprayed the second snake with a barrage of bullets and, once it stopped moving, launched a fireball at the twitching remains.
Pete arrived a second later and surveyed the scene with wide eyes. "Shit." His arm still exhibited discolored veins from his own unfortunate tangle with a mutated Heg months prior.
Breathing heavily as he retrieved his gear, Dan said, "South—clear."
"You get bit? Wounded?" Pete asked.
Dan scoffed. "Think I want to look like your ugly ass?"
Pete laughed and clapped Dan's shoulder. "Alright, let's head out and report to the Commissioner. He can send crews down to seal this sector off."
Vincent ground his teeth as he pulled the rear, frustrated at finding no trace of Brukho's whereabouts and doubting that the scientist had disappeared on his own.
Tifa abandoned her buffet, joining the party as the day drew into dusk. All chatted excitedly but Cissnei, whose boredom eventually compelled her to rise from the couch.
"Hey," she said, gaining everyone's attention as she spun a sharp shuriken between her fingers. "Wanna see a trick?"
Tifa thought she might need to intervene but sighed thankfully when the SOLDIERs returned to collect their stunned wives.
Cissnei pouted with disappointment at the interruption. But when Kunsel arrived moments later, she lunged at him and hid in his security. Her words came out a little muffled. "Can't believe we're moving to this neighborhood. What a nightmare of domesticity," she complained, then glanced at Tifa wearily. "See you tomorrow."
Tifa's laughter finally broke as the door closed behind them, impressed with her ability to repress it while bearing witness to the Turk's silent misery.
"Tifa?" She turned at the weak call, glimpsing Molly yawn and stretch. "I think I'm gonna turn in early."
"You need some help?" As Tifa started forward, Pete appeared in the doorway like a superhero, dumping his gear before he lifted his wife into his arms and carried her to their bedroom. He reappeared in time to help Tifa load her things into her truck. "Guess I'll see you again bright and early for moving day?"
Pete nodded. "Bright and early. Goodnight, Tifa."
"Goodnight," she answered and turned to her vehicle. She stopped abruptly, fright tightening her throat as she glimpsed a silhouette leaning against the passenger door that hadn't been there moments ago.
Vincent pushed off the truck with a smirk. "I'm suddenly feeling like a fortunate man."
The shine of his hair caught in the moonlight as she calmed, steadying her sudden rapid breath. "I'm the lucky one," she replied, setting bags on the floorboard as he moved in behind her, essentially blocking any escape. She twisted, eyebrows raised. "In public?"
She savored his caging embrace as his lips brushed across hers. "No point in hiding a relationship everyone knows about."
"Relationship?" Tifa sighed at his kiss dragging down her neck. "I like the sound of that." She squealed as he lifted her, depositing her behind the steering wheel. Her laughter softened under his stare. "I hope this means you're coming home with me."
"Actually, I'd hoped for a ride home." His mouth cocked in a lopsided grin.
"A ride, huh?" Tifa glanced through the windshield at Vincent's house standing mere steps from Molly's. "Hmm…I think you're going to owe me gas money."
"I'll think of some way to pay." He reached across the cab and turned the ignition. "Care to put it in gear? I'd like to make good on my debt before the sun rises."
The vehicle accelerated faster than necessary, lurching her unprepared passenger into his seat as she sped to his driveway, not caring for the spectacle any nosy neighbors might've witnessed. And seconds after she engaged the parking brake, he swooped her into his embrace.
Tifa desperately clutched at shadows of leather and red as she felt gravity plummet into the pit of her belly. They must've flown through the house, but she could not discern any direction. Everything blurred past her vision. She was breathless when her feet again met the floor and stared at him, awestruck as she realized they stood in his dark bedroom.
Vincent began to undress, tossing his cape aside. "Now, about this debt I owe," he said, voice gravelly as he removed his shirt and pierced her with wolfish intent in his eyes.
Sweat dripped down her chest, whether from the temperature or remembering Vincent between her thighs the night before—Tifa couldn't tell. Fanning her skin didn't even help marginally. She hoisted another box onto the dolly, wishing Kunsel would've picked a cooler month to move.
Tifa stretched in a breeze and glanced past the lines of homes nestled along the winding street. Vincent's house stood empty atop the distant hill. A smile flitted across her lips as she pictured herself welcoming him home, surprising him with dinner, herself dressed only in an apron.
"You just gonna moon at that house up there?" Molly called from the porch, where everyone gathered for a quick break while Cissnei napped in her new house.
Tifa accepted a glass of lemonade from Molly. "I'm not mooning at anyone's house."
"Uh-huh." Molly winked and eased onto the porch swing, where Tifa joined her. "Great gigatoads! I'm so happy everyone is moving to my neighborhood. Right, baby?" Molly pinched Pete's side.
He bent to give her a kiss. "More than you know, sweet."
"Now, all I need is for my girlfriend to move in."
Pete groaned. "With us?!" He simpered at Molly, nuzzling her neck.
"Stop it, baby. It's too hot." Molly batted her husband's face away. "Anyway, Tifa's already got a place on the street." Molly's grin turned devious. "Don'cha, girlfriend?"
An elbow nudged into Tifa's ribs as a blush crept up her neck.
"Tch!" Cloud rudely presented his back.
Tifa rolled her eyes, otherwise ignoring him as she happily lounged and scanned her string of texts with her new boyfriend.
Tifa—It IS your fault! I'm so sore I skipped my morning workout! :p
Vincent—I have an alibi. A woman held me captive all night.
Vincent—Hoping for another hostage situation tonight.
She brought the phone to her forehead and snorted, earning a side-eye from Cloud. He stomped off the porch, yanking the dolly into his grip, then dragged it through the flower bed, childishly kicking rocks before he rounded the truck and climbed the ramp.
"Who poured mako into his Moogle O's?" Molly asked, plucking an ice cube from her glass. "He's grumpier than a cactuar with a buzzcut."
Tifa exhaled irritably. "My new relationship, I guess."
"He should get over it. Here, help me up." Molly braced her hands on the swing. "I'm not so pregnant I can't unpack in the kitchen."
Minutes later, they chatted as they arranged plates in the dishwasher. Eventually, Cissnei woke and headed outside to direct the men where to deliver furniture.
"I tell ya—our meetup shoulda been sooner. Everybody stressed and sicker than a marlboro. And our clueless husbands don't know whether to build a crib or dig a grave. Don't get me wrong, the WRO is doin good by us. But we need our own support group. No one understands what we're goin through but us," Molly said, sniffling.
"Oh, honey." Tifa wrapped her arms around her friend, straining against her own worried tears.
"Don't mind me. I'm still healthy, though don't ask me how."
"Well, I'm glad for it." Tifa gently pulled a strand of Molly's hair from her brow and tucked it behind her ear.
A loud grinding came from the patio. Molly jammed her fingers in her ears as they peeked through the window, seeing Cissnei struggling to maneuver their bar-b-que pit, perspiration glinting on her reddened cheeks. As Tifa moved to help, Cloud appeared from the yard. "Here. I'll get it." He grabbed the grill, shifting its weight into his grip.
"Hm. Cloud the hero," Molly said as they returned to unpacking. "Maybe he needs more busy work—"
A loud crash drowned out Molly's remark.
"I'm sorry, Cloud. I'm so clumsy—look out!"
"Ow! Fuck!"
Tifa sprang to the window to see Cloud draw his sword and swipe into the bushes. His face paled as he kneeled, clutching his boot while hissing through clenched teeth.
"Shit!" Cissnei cringed before covering her mouth with both hands.
The smell of antiseptic permeated the labs, assaulting Tifa's nose. She chewed on a thumbnail while Dr. Berry examined Cloud in a room reserved for SOLDIERs.
Berry groaned as he sank his aging body onto a swivel stool. He adjusted his glasses and assessed the puss-filled holes above Cloud's ankle. "Well, you stepped into a nest of nasty baby vipers."
"I just want to—bwuaa—" Cloud vomited into the bedpan he cradled.
Tifa patted his back, her brows furrowed. "We used a remedy and materia with esuna. But nothing worked for long."
Either one should've been sufficient, at least in Tifa's experience. They'd come across dozens of poisonous monsters, esuna being the cure-all for most bites.
"I've taken a blood sample," the doctor said, voice wavering. "We'll have to run tests on the poison. The bite isn't from your average Heg snake, that's certain." Berry removed his glasses, cleaning them off with his smock as he shook his head in thought.
"What is it?" Tifa asked.
The doctor exhaled a deep, withered breath. "I don't want to alarm you—but I wonder, with all the wandering experiments below the city, if some have evolved over time."
"Evolved? What do you mean?"
"These creatures may be crossbreeding with their natural ancestors. And that means they'll be on the surface living in habitats close to humans."
Well, that's troubling.
Berry tried to lift Cloud's pant leg, examining the extent the poison had visibly traveled. "And I'm confident that if you hadn't been enhanced, young man, you would lose this leg." He motioned for Cloud to unbuckle his belt and raised his eyebrows at Tifa. "Uh—Miss?"
"Oh!" she said, standing abruptly. "I'll just—be right outside."
Tifa shut the door and immediately bumped into someone. A screeching princess wobbled on unsteady feet before sacrificing Tifa to the floor in her desperation to save herself.
"Argh! Watch where—Tifa! What are you doing here?" Yuffie dusted herself off as Tifa glared at her assailant from her elbows.
Tifa huffed and brought herself up on a knee, rewarding Yuffie with another scowl before gathering the photos and papers Yuffie had dropped. "A snake bit my roommate. He's with Dr. Berry."
Yuffie stood with a box in her hands. "Musta been some snake. Didn't you have esuna?"
"Nothing worked. That's why we're here." Tifa tossed the papers in the box and held up a photo of medicine. "What's all this?"
"Evidence!" Yuffie walked toward the conference room as Tifa followed. "Pictures of medical supplies sent to Wutai." She set the box on the table and looked at Tifa with a serious expression. "Rayleigh needs to comb over this. Someone in this department—likely that Sybil Shelly—" Yuffie said with a whisper before continuing, "sent this deliberately. It's different than the medicine they're feeding these SOLDIER bimbos around here!"
Tifa raised a mean eyebrow.
"Oh—sorry, Teef. I forget they're your friends. Heh!" Yuffie slapped her shoulder. "But seriously, now the only thing I don't know is who helped Shelly—"
"Oh, hello, Tifa. I wasn't expecting you here today." The door closed as Reeve appeared with a smile, Rayleigh close behind. He gave Yuffie a fatherly glare. "As for your accusation, Yuffie, let's not assume prematurely," he said, seating himself at the head of the table. "This could all be a misunderstanding. Dr. Shelly has been integral to several projects."
Yuffie crossed her arms and sneered. "Ha! A misunderstanding that led to a girl's death!"
"It was the pregnancy that led to her death," Rayleigh pointed out, looking at her from over a report she was reading.
"Uh—I'm just gonna—leave," Tifa said, fleeing from their debate. She counted the seconds, waiting for the muffled conversation to devolve into a shouting match.
One—two—three—four—
"What do you mean there's no evidence?!"
"Hello, Tifa Lockhart." Shelke stopped her as Tifa tried to escape the labs without further incident.
"Oh—uh. Hi, Shelke. How are you? And—it's just Tifa."
The young woman sidled close, stretching to her full height. "Can you perceive the difference? I've grown taller. I believe Dr. Simon may help me instigate an increase in pubertal symptoms soon." Shelke puffed her chest out. "Though I may not have your genetic potential, I've measured an increase in my cup size. I will forgo the training bra soon."
Tifa's face reddened as she finally noticed Shelke's budding bosom. "That's—wonderful, Shelke. Um, tell Shalua I said hi." She turned quickly, bumping into someone again, but this time, hearing a splash instead of an angry ninja. Her eyes widened. "Shalua!"
Shalua gaped at her smock, arms wide as she blinked at the coffee stains. "I guess this did need a wash."
"Oh, my gods. Shalua, I'm so sorry." Tifa glanced around for towels, spying cleaning equipment at a nearby sink and cabinet. "Here—let me just—get this—" Tifa bent down to clean the mess she caused and laughed as Shalua helped her. "How about I buy you another? Hmm? You have some time?"
"You don't have to do that, Tifa," Shalua replied as they threw the coffee cup and paper towels into the trash.
"Yes, I do," Tifa said. "Let's go to the cafeteria."
Shalua seemed to consider a moment, then accepted. "Actually, do you mind if we go to the café across the street?" Shalua appeared shy asking. "There's moogle donuts and iced coffee."
"Moogle donuts? Lead the way!"
The café seemed popular with WRO staff and workers from nearby buildings, even a few former SOLDIERs who Tifa didn't recognize. One winked as they claimed the last available table.
"Creep," Shalua said before she sipped her iced coffee. "So, what brings you to the labs today?"
Tifa wiped at her mouth, swallowing a bite of donut before she replied. "Cloud." She giggled at Shalua's surprised expression. "He stepped into a snake nest in West Village. Dr. Berry thinks they're mutated Hegs, so," Tifa shrugged before continuing, "here we are."
"They must be crossbreeding," Shalua replied. "Lt. Samuel's injury provided new poison studies, from what I'm told. I believe it's the project Dr. Shelly has been developing. Cloud should be fine."
"That's the impression I got from Berry," Tifa agreed but quieted as she thought of Sybil Shelly. The young doctor left a poor impression during and after their trip to Nibelheim. But perhaps she'd found research befitting her interests. Tifa didn't think the woman displayed a friendly bedside manner to merit her administering to patients.
Tifa wrinkled her nose in distaste as Shalua apologized for her sister's behavior. "She's still socially inept."
"It's ok," Tifa replied. "I'm happy that she's made progress. Maybe they'll reverse what ShinRa did to her."
Shalua nodded before sharing the finer details of their strides in solving some of ShinRa's crimes. She didn't mention Vincent's curiosity about the research, and Tifa didn't enlighten her, confident he preferred the information remains private.
"Well, I should get back," Shalua said as Tifa noticed the wary glances she shot toward other patrons.
The SOLDIERs sitting nearby looked away quickly when Tifa returned their stares. Her heart clenched as Shalua brought a hand to her eye patch, then slowly dragged it down to her prosthetic arm. Tifa frowned at her apparent discomfort and insecurity.
Shalua cast more worried looks over her shoulder as they exited. Tifa followed her gaze to the SOLDIERs, who piled into a gray van parked outside. "Are you all right, Shalua?" Tifa asked.
Shalua picked up her pace as if motivated to outrun the attention her appearance garnered. "I'm—fine," she obviously lied. "I wasn't always this way, you know," Shalua continued after the van and its occupants drove away. "Before Deepground, I had learned to live with my disabilities."
"You have nothing to be ashamed of," Tifa said quickly and received a doleful smile for the comment.
"It's not that—I've—turned into a monstrous paranoid wreck since—everything." Shalua slowed as she crossed her arms and her eyes turned downcast. "I see the same people often at the café. Our afternoon breaks must be synced. But some—stare. Nurses who know me, those SOLDIERs with the van—and there's a man from the music store across the street—all of them gawk like I'm a carnival attraction." She paused, rubbing her arms as though cold. "Sometimes, I feel like they're out to hurt me. Take me back to a cage and—"
"Oh, goodness," Tifa replied, reaching out to rub Shalua's arm. "Not at all. I—hope you don't mind me asking, but are you taking anything to help calm panic attacks?"
"It's fine. You can ask. Dr. Simon developed this customized tea that I drink once a day."
"Tea?"
"It's intended for SOLDIERs. And it's darker than most and a little nauseating." Shalua scrunched her nose. "But it helps, even if it doesn't solve everything. I take only a quarter dose."
Vincent drank dark tea.
"Tifa? You, ok?"
Tifa blinked, coming out of her musing. "Oh. Yup." She put her arm around the woman as they continued back to the WRO. The friendship between Cloud and Shalua made more sense than ever to Tifa.
The trek to the parking lot was pained, much slower than Cloud's usual jogging pace. He halted every seven steps, palm to stomach, fist to mouth. The nausea had not yet abated, and Tifa doubted he would make it home without coating her truck with vomit.
He grumbled when she rummaged through the glove box for a "Yuffie bag" she kept handy for emergencies and fastened his seat belt.
"I can—" Cloud's cheeks puffed, and his fingers tightened over his mouth. Tifa thrust a bag under his chin as his face turned pale green. Then, after a moment of hard swallowing and a stuttered breath, he straightened. "I'm fine," he said, voice tremulous and weak. "Just need a minute before you drive off."
She heard a door close a few spaces away. "Ow! Ow!" echoed a woman's voice.
"Don't worry, I've got you."
Tifa turned. "Oh, my gods! Cissnei!" She sprinted to match Kunsel's powerful legs as he ran into the hospital with his girlfriend cradled in his arms. "Are you ok?!"
"Fine—Ow! Just—getting—jostled—"
"She got bit, too!" Kunsel said, panicked.
"I did not!" Cissnei snapped, then groaned and rubbed her head where Tifa thought she spotted a nasty bruise. They stopped in front of the elevator bank. "He's just being paranoid."
"Either way, you're getting looked at," Kunsel argued. "Tonight!"
"Can I help?" Tifa asked.
Cissnei shook her head. "I'm just tired."
"You fainted!" Kunsel punched at the elevator panel, finally jamming a button too hard and breaking it. "Fuck!" Tifa startled at Kunsel's uncharacteristic outburst. "Taking the stairs."
Tifa made to follow, then suddenly remembered. "Shit! Cloud!" She called out to them through the closing stairwell door. "I'll be right behind."
She met Cloud as he limped through the front entrance. "Everything ok?"
"Not sure. Cissnei fell and lost consciousness after we left their house!"
"Ok. Come on," he said, hobbling through the sliding glass door.
"You sure? I can drive you home and come back later."
"I'm not contagious, Tifa." He grimaced at her. "Meds are finally working. Let's head up."
The maternity ward was quiet, less traffic typically swarmed its halls compared to other wards, but it smelled just as sterile. Tifa twirled her hair as they waited for news. An hour passed before Kunsel exited Cissnei's room with Dr. Bernard. "And she's gonna be ok?"
Carlos nodded. "As I mentioned, she should remain for a few days. We'll monitor and run more tests just to be certain." He gave a smile that brightened when he glanced at Tifa before promising to check back in a few hours, then left.
"So, what happened?" Tifa asked.
Kunsel ran a hand through his hair. "She was emptying a box and just—collapsed. Hit her head on the floor." Tifa gasped, and he sighed before continuing, "I thought at first maybe she'd suffered a bite, too. But I couldn't find teeth marks. So, we high-tailed it over here."
"What did Carlos say?"
"She overexerted herself." Kunsel gnashed his teeth. "I should've handled everything myself. Even lifting a coffee pot tires her out anymore."
Tifa massaged his arm. "Don't blame yourself. Cissnei isn't going to sit still. You know that."
Cloud flopped into a nearby chair and leaned his head against the wall. "Looks like the day did everybody in," Tifa said, then glanced back at Kunsel. "Do you need me to stay so you can sleep?"
Kunsel shook his head with a weary smirk. "Thanks for the offer, but you should get Cloud home before he paints the walls with stomach acid."
He finally emerged into the clear night air. Vincent's heart quickened when his phone buzzed to life, a smile in his eyes. Seeing notifications from Tifa brought a sense of companionship he thought would never exist for him. And a feeling of belonging to someone.
Tifa—Don't get lost down there.
He chuckled at the image of a cartoonish behemoth.
Tifa—Moving days are no fun.
Tifa—Never a day with no drama. Taking Cloud to the hospital. He stepped into a nest of baby Hegs. Will let you know what the doc says.
Vincent's brows lowered. The snake that had attacked Pete was a hybrid Heg.
Tifa—Cloud lives! He has a nasty zombie leg from the shin down.
Tifa—Staying a bit longer to check on a friend. Never a dull moment.
Tifa—We're headed home. Finally! Be safe. ?
He swiped the screen. More messages flashed, some from Yuffie that he'd never read and one from Elena, probably a reminder to wear his 'inconspicuous' clothing for their Wutai mission tomorrow morning.
Elena—No doubt you've heard. Cissnei admitted to hospital for pregnancy complications. Sorry to spring on you but will delay our trip until afternoon.
A sense of responsibility enveloped him at the news. He hurried through the ruins, deciding to take a detour before heading to Tifa's. Cissnei was one of the few Turks he liked. He'd hate to add her to his list of sins.
He found Kunsel walking through the corridors, nursing a plastic cup.
"Kunsel," he greeted. The man turned and offered a hand.
"Evening, Vincent," Kunsel said. "What brings you here so late?"
The SOLDIER didn't appear distressed; perhaps Elena had her information wrong. "Following a lead," he lied, erring caution. "You?"
"Cissnei had a bad fainting spell," Kunsel replied, a tired look on his face. "She pushed too hard today when we moved into your neighborhood. Dr. Bernard recommended she stay for observation. She's fine, though. Baby, too."
Vincent hid his relief with his usual mask and offered obligatory verbal support. "Glad to hear it."
He left Kunsel to his sleepless night and sprang to the rooftops, moving like the wind before arriving at Tifa's minutes later. Dark windows stared down from Seventh Heaven, where she slept peacefully. He watched her for a few minutes, then eased into her bed and curled around her, content as a soft sigh breezed from her lips.