Chapter 50

Get Better


She'd been here before, though the voices were different this time. The sound faded, then boomed in her ears before fading to nothing. She tried to lift a hand to her ear, but neither arm would move. Confusion set in when she realized she couldn't open her eyes, couldn't feel them. Couldn't blink.

"What—" she tried to say. But no sound came from her throat. Her mouth wouldn't move. Nothing moved. Not her hands. Eyes. Legs. Am I paralyzed?

Am I dead?

A panic set in. She couldn't breathe. Her chest didn't respond when she tried to pull in air. Could she even gasp?

"She's choking," a voice said, too loud. "Get Berry."

"Turn her on her side."

She perceived a flurry of activity around her. Hands touching her, though her skin felt nothing. But there was something. A throbbing burn in her arm.

She latched on to that pain. The physical sensation of it helped ground her. The sting of it proof that she was alive. And the dizziness. Though nothing moved her but unknown hands, she sensed an awful vertigo. A sickness in her stomach and head. She knew a relief when the sick spilled down her cheeks and over her ear.

"Tifa?" someone asked. She knew the voice. A real voice in a room she laid in. An old, kind man. "Tifa? Can you hear me?"

She didn't know if she was awake or sleeping. Several hands jostled her more, something wiped at her face.

"Folks…could you step…out?" The old man's breath warmed the skin on her arm. "We'll need to change…the bed clothes…and her…gown."

The dizziness shrouded all thought. The voices faded again until she could no longer hear anything but whispers. Without seeing, she perceived a mist surrounding her, warm and inviting, urging her to give in.

Give in to what?

The weightiness of her injured arm lessened until it finally fell numb. Not that it mattered. She found she didn't care. She felt a lightness, a happiness unknown to her. So free of life's pain. The mist washed away her suffering.

"No, not yet," a voice said. The voice of a young woman. Familiar, yet one she knew lost to her. "Not yet, Tifa."

She felt the warmth surrounding her begin to push and pull at her from the inside and out. "No, please," she said, crying inside her unopened eyes. "Let me stay."

"But it's not time, silly." Arms squeezed her, followed by a light kiss on each cheek, her forehead, then her mouth. "They need you still."

"They do?" Frustration built inside her. She wanted to see the young woman, hold her again. Share secrets with her again. Like she had once long ago when they'd become fast friends. It seemed so unfair she couldn't see her friend. "Where are you?" she asked, with tears in her voice.

"Who is she talking to, doc? Is she delirious? "

"She's dreaming."

"I'm not dreaming," she answered. "I felt her."

"I'm always here, Tifa," the young woman said, further away. "Always have been."

"Please stay with me."

"Always will be."

Minutes? Hours later?

The first person Tifa saw was Vincent. At least, she thought she did. One moment he was there, the next he wasn't, his face replaced by Yuffie's. She couldn't tell if she was dreaming or if floating in the ether, upside down and tumbling. Nausea gripped her head and stomach, so she closed her eyes, hoping the dark would stop the spinning room.


"I think you're seeing things in your old age," Yuffie said as she backed away from the bed. "Her eyes are still closed, Turkey. I'll stand watch later. DM me if she talks again."

He was thankful Yuffie left the room. The others had come and gone frequently over the last few days. But Vincent wanted to stand this vigil on his own.

Vincent rubbed her hand harder, hopeful when he thought he saw light glint between her eyelids again. "Tifa?" he repeated for what he felt was the thousandth time, a gentle increase in his volume. He didn't know if she would wake into a panic. So, he was there to hold on to her tightly, just in case.

Within seconds, her lashes fluttered and Vincent's breath caught in his throat as his mouth widened into a smile that stretched further with each blink as she woke with confusion in her face.

"What? What is—" Her voice sounded like a musical whisper to his ears. But in the next moment, she began to retch, nearly convulsing. Vincent turned her body to the side as Dr. Berry's shaky hands fumbled with a bedpan.

Nothing issued from her mouth, not even bile. Vincent wished he could take the pain from her as he watched her small body wrack and strain, curl into itself as it desperately tried to empty. The only fluid she could come up with was the tears that streamed down her nose and into the pan Berry held under chin.

"Bleh," her weak voice said. She brought a hand, trembling and pale, to her mouth, wiping at a meager bit of spittle. "I feel…awful!"

Vincent held her hair back as she heaved another round of air. Finally, she only coughed and leaned back. He guided her back to her pillows. "I don't doubt you do," he said. "Do you remember what happened?" He kept his voice gentle and calm, fighting against the elation he felt when all he wanted to do was scoop her into his arms and dance for joy.

All the worry he'd felt that the worst could happen flushed off his shoulders like a warm, relieving shower. Her very speech and ability to express herself boded well. Vincent felt his panic calm, the corruptions buzzing from a sudden frenzy down to a pacified hum.

She nodded slowly, frowning with sick and nausea written on her face. "Unfortunately…yes." Her voice wavered and sounded so small to Vincent's ears he could feel his heart crack. "Please…don't use another remedy. I'll just…puke it up again." Tifa clutched her injured arm over her belly and closed her eyes. Vincent thought she might sink and disappear into the pillows if anyone attempted to show her a bottle of antidote.

His phone chimed then. A message from Reeve. He'd been neglecting several duties since his vigil at Tifa's bedside.

"Go," she said, his eyes finding hers. She looked so tired and pale. Noticing his reluctance, the expression on his face, she urged again. "I'm…fine. Go see what Reeve wants. I'll still be here…I think."

Vincent let out a slow breath, resigning himself to her wisdom. "I won't be gone long." He leaned forward and gave her a kiss, tender and too short.


Vincent sunk away from her, leaving an emptiness in the air. Seconds later, he appeared behind the observation window that overlooked her room, Yuffie joining him, waving frantically at Tifa with the biggest grin on her face.

Her attention focused back on herself as Dr. Berry listened to her heartbeat. "Forgive us…gasp…for this room, Tifa," Dr. Berry wheezed. "The joint room is set up for observation of our SOLDIER…patients. The safety window is a precaution. But you…were brought in under a special circumstance. Uh—being…ushered in by Vincent Valentine has…its benefits. Straight to the labs. Ha ah ha…gasp…"

Tifa could only manage a nod as her tired eyes found the doctor. "I understand."

Berry smiled down at her. "Good. Good. I've been…adding anti-venom to your…medicine. This one is specially designed…just for you…to…curb the nausea. Just a moment…while I call for…Dr. Bernard."

"Just for me?"

"Yes, indeed," he replied. "Especially…for you."

Tifa grimaced as he pressed his fingers into her arm, watching her skin dot into odd colors from the pressure. The sight of her grayish, purple and green spotted skin mingling with smells of antiseptic, old man and her own sweat twisted Tifa's stomach. Her other hand shot to her mouth as the nausea welled anew. The elderly doctor was quicker than he seemed, and he shoved a bedpan under her chin just in time to catch a small bit of spittle from her lips.

"There, there," he said, patting her back as his shaky hand balanced the bowl. "It seems this toxin…was powerful, indeed. From what I hear…you were given several antidotes…and Esuna."

"And a remedy," she choked out, wiping her mouth, and would've laughed if not for the sick clinging to her breath. "It only…made me sicker. At least it felt that way." She fell back into the pillows, her energy drained more than she ever thought possible; the worst chocobo flu couldn't compare to the fatigue the toxin triggered in her body.

Berry placed the sick bowl onto the tray and looked over her arm again. "To tell you the truth, Ms. Lockhart…this injury could have been worse. Most who come into contact…with tainted Lifestream…don't linger to feel its effects. Whatever hybrid bit you…stored corruption inside its venom."

"It was a scorpion stinger. But…I've survived the Lifestream before. I fell in once."

"Oh?" Berry's face wrinkled more with his confusion. "And what happened? I would like…to hear how you survived such…a tumble."

A smile fought through her nausea, and her chin trembled with the sad and warm memories. "A holy power saved me."

"Ah," Berry said with understanding and sadness. "Yes, I remember…hearing the…tale from the…commissioner. Give me a few…minutes. I'll be back…with a serum that should help and…we'll take blood for…further research. I want…to rule out…any damage…to your digestive…system."

Tifa studied her arm but didn't touch it, thinking it strange that the doctor's prodding elicited a reaction from her tummy. She could feel the toxin in her limb, though. Like it was pooled under her veins, waiting for release. She turned her head to the observation window and watched Vincent and Yuffie speak together. Vincent looked unhappy at whatever news the ninja shared with him. Then Reeve arrived, and Vincent smiled at her as he listened to the others talk.

Several more minutes passed while Tifa tried and failed to ignore her discolored arm and churning stomach before the doctor returned with a tray covered in vials, spoons, cups, and syringes. She sat up as he lowered himself to the swivel stool and watched him fill a small cup with thick liquid, surprise arching her brows when he handed it to her and nodded with a motion to drink.

"No more…shots," he smiled, then took the cup from her after she downed the foul-tasting serum and handed her another with a lighter color. On and on it went until Tifa couldn't taste anything and her throat burned from the onslaught of medications. "How…do you feel?"

"Nauseous? Ugh…how long until the meds work?"

"Well, one of…the serums alleviates nausea. But…give it a few minutes." He repositioned the stool to inspect her arm, which she laid across the bed under his squinting eyes. "The blue…serum, we developed from our research…of Mr. Samuel's injury. I believe Mr. Strife…suffered the same. Very effective to neutralize the toxin. And the…green…should aid your…recovery time."

The surrounding room spun behind the doctor as he explained each and every colored serum and liquid to her. One for nausea, another to heal, one to slow the toxin from saturating her tissues, another to dissolve the venom, and one to seal the puncture wounds that can't be stitched, apparently, since necrosis is a possibility.

"Of course…the last thing…we want is for the arm to turn…necrotic," he said, face suddenly appearing dire to her as he rotated her arm and studied the full scope of the discoloration. "But dialysis may be…necessary before we take…any final measures."

"Dialysis?" she repeated in a whisper. Tifa finally lifted her head and studied the doctor's face. "What do you mean? Final measures ?"

Berry removed his glasses and gripped her fingers like he was about to deliver bad news. "The last thing we would do…to save your life…Ms. Lockhart…is take your…arm. And only after…I've exhausted every other means of ridding the venom…from your body."

She gasped, glancing down at her arm and injury with more than just disgust at the nausea it caused, seeing it more as the danger to her well-being it truly posed.

Berry continued to run his trembling hand along her arm, showing her the evidence of the poisons affects. "Most poisons, toxins and venoms are cured with…an antidote and a night's rest. And yet…we may be unfamiliar with the beast that did this…to your arm. But I can surmise for certain it is a nasty creation worthy…of ShinRa's past."

Tifa swallowed the saliva pooling at the back of her throat and under her tongue, fighting off another urge to vomit. The doctor readied his phlebotomy kit to extract her blood, unaware of the battle her body waged and her determination not to dry heave. She held her breath as he finally pressed the needle into her arm with more dexterity that she would've thought him capable of given his shaky limbs.

"We'll just…take these blood samples for…further research," he said, pulling the needle and tube from her arm once it filled with blood. "In the meantime, Ms…Lockhart. I recommend rest. With the research on Mr. Samuels and Mr. Strife…I think we can…have you back to good in no…time."

Back to good? Possibly with only one arm?

"Doctor Berry?" she asked, clutching the limb protectively over her belly. "Tell me the truth. Is it really possible I'll lose my arm?"

His smile teetered on comforting, but Tifa swore she saw evidence of his uncertainty. "Give the serums…time, Tifa. Your friends are fully healed, though they still may…have lingering discoloration. I doubt you'll heal without…evidence of subcutaneous scars…but it's too soon…to worry about losing your arm. I'm…obligated to inform…you of the possibility, however." He reached out with a shaking hand and gripped her uninjured palm with a soothing gesture. "We'll run tests…every test I can think of. And I will personally…create a stronger…customized treatment for you."

He left her with shuffling steps from the room, leaving her alone with thoughts of losing a limb. Amputation would change the life of anyone, but for a fighter? A physical person like herself?

Her mind tumbled with the horror of the notion, trying to imagine, while also rejecting the thought of losing a limb. How would that change…everything?

Tifa rubbed her arm and winced at the pain that shot from her fingers to her shoulder. When she let go, the limb went numb, barely answering her mind to move or make a fist. She hid it beneath the sheet, unable to look at it as tears streamed down her face.

She wiped her face before turning back to the observation window. Vincent watched her while Reeve and Yuffie argued over…something. She gave a small wave, smiling when Vincent raised his gauntlet. Yuffie opened the door and huffed out, leaving Vincent with Reeve, who shook his head in that too familiar gesture of frustration. Tifa let out a small giggle, knowing the small ninja had worked on the commissioner's nerves with her natural talent for irritating. Vincent smiled wider and shrugged. He waved again when Reeve reopened the door and gestured for Vincent to follow.


Vincent followed Reeve into the conference room next door to Tifa's. "What is it?" he asked, hardly concealing his impatience. "I want to get back to Tifa."

"I hope you understand the WRO's position, Vincent," Reeve began. "Even if Yuffie disagrees, this is the position we must take for now." He held up his hands, imploring Vincent to agree with him. "Finding the warehouse so close to Edge is nerve-wracking. But we don't know for certain who developed that serum."

"I agree with Yuffie."

The commissioner's mouth fell open a moment. "B…but…what good would it serve anyone until we have more evidence?"

Vincent folded his arms across his chest. It wasn't often he agreed with the little ninja, but on this she was right. The WRO researchers needed to focus as much effort on their findings in the SOLDIER hideouts as they did on these pregnancies.

"I thought if anyone would take my side on this, Vincent, it would be you."

Vincent leveled Reeve with his friendliest glare, taking his friend's attempt at a personal jibe in stride. "The rogue SOLDIERs are not a harmless faction, Reeve. Yuffie is right. This isn't just a Wutai problem. Rayleigh's findings should alarm you."

"And they do!" Reeve gritted out between his teeth. "You think we want former SOLDIERs shooting up a mako serum that makes them even stronger so close to Edge? We still don't know what the other agents in that serum do or effects. And Brukho's no longer cooperating. Rayleigh said it has elements to slow degradation, but there was something…corrupt about it, she mentioned."

"At least put up a barrier to keep people out. Pete's team doesn't have the area secured yet. The public should be warned to stay out of Midgar's ruins."

"We warn them all the time to stay away from the ruins. What else do you want me to do? Publish a registry of all known enhanced individuals who survived Meteor and tell the public to avoid anyone acting…frenzied?!"

A growl nearly erupted from Vincent's chest. "I would never allow you to publish such a thing. Isolate the area as soon as possible. Prohibit entry. Too many kids get hurt in the wreckage as it is."

Reeve ran a hand over his face and held up a hand to Vincent as though in apology. "I know, Vincent. I know. This actually isn't what I wanted to talk to you about."

Vincent leaned against the wall and waited as Reeve drew in a few more breaths. The commissioner seemed to like stalling for what Vincent assumed was dramatic effect, but now wasn't the time. "What is it?"

"I had an independent review carried out on the treatments you've been receiving." Reeve almost seemed to cringe as he said the words.

Vincent stood up to his full height. He wasn't exactly certain if he should be offended or not, knowing Reeve's interference likely done only out of concern. "And?"

"And? Nothing yet." Reeve blew out a defeated breath. "I was worried after your…uh…incident before the mission, so had Rayleigh investigate. I'm sure you already knew that much of the serum is being developed based on the science of Dr. Shelley."

Vincent kept his face blank, not wanting Reeve to know what he may or may not have been made aware of by Simon. He decided Reeve's little investigation did offend him. After another moment, just when Reeve seemed to start sweating under Vincent's regard, he replied again, "And?"

"And…well, Rayleigh assured me that Dr. Simon is overseeing the process." Reeve threw up his hands again, as though the gesture in itself was an appropriate response for his meddling. "I won't interfere and put a stop to it…if that's what you want, Vincent."

They stared at each other for several seconds as Vincent absorbed Reeve's words, then a silence popped in Vincent's mind. He'd never thought to question if his treatments had been officially sanctioned or not.

"I don't want to lose another friend, Vincent."

Another moment passed while Vincent contemplated if he'd have to beg Reeve to let Simon continue, to allow the WRO researchers to find a cure for him.

"This…may be my only option, Reeve," Vincent answered softly. "I'd like to be human again."


Tifa couldn't nap long enough before another friend burst through the door. Flowers and stuffed moogles surrounded her bedside table along with candied Rhoderan fish Dr. Berry had asked her to hold off eating until he could rule out any permanent damage to her liver and kidneys. Less than an hour after Molly had left with the baby, Barret showed up with the kids. She cut him a glare over Marlene's shoulder as the little girl cried into her chest.

"I heard Daddy on the phone. He was crying and telling somebody not to let you die! And then he said we couldn't see you!" Marlene wailed, wetting the soft fabric of Tifa's hospital gown.

"That ain't what I said," Barret cut in with that sweet, fatherly tone he only used with Marlene. "I said that we should wait until Tifa wasn't sleepin all the time. She needs her rest to get better."

Tifa hugged the girl close and glanced at Denzel, who barely looked at her except to cut frightened glances at her arm. "Is school going okay, Denzel?" she asked him. "You like all your teachers this semester?"

He responded only with a curt nod, then focused his attention out of the window. She had missed the start of the new school year as she had laid in this bed for nearly two weeks since the mission to Modeoheim. Vincent stayed every moment he wasn't working. Tifa was sure he hadn't been to his house in weeks. Cloud stopped by once a day, sometimes waiting until she was awake just so she could see his back as left through the door. She didn't mind. It meant Cloud was still…Cloud.

"When do you get to come home?" Marlene asked as she straightened to sit, puffing her lower lip and wiping at the tears on her face.

"Well, you see that bag of green serum and the tube attached to my arm?" At Marlene's sniffling nod, Tifa continued. "Dr. Berry says that he thinks I'll be ok to go in the morning once all the medicine has dripped into me. It's going to make my arm better." Tifa tried to plant a big smile on her face.

Marlene traced a small finger down a dark vein of Tifa's forearm. She stopped at the bandages covering Tifa's wounds. Bernard had come in daily to re-wrap and change the dressings, more worried than he let on that the twin holes at her wrist had not yet closed completely, and any stitches they'd attempted had dissolved within hours.

"And your arm won't be this color anymore?" Marlene asked.

Tifa felt her chest tighten with renewed fear at the girl's question. The doctors didn't know if her arm would ever go back to the way it was…or even if she would keep the limb. Dr. Berry had only commented that it wasn't getting any worse.

The door opened, cutting Tifa's reply before she could find the words, and Vincent walked through the door.

"Vincent," Barret said before he stepped forward and put his hands on Marlene's shoulders. "Let's go kids. Tifa needs to get her rest. Uncle Vince is here to watch over her."

Marlene planted herself over Tifa's body for another squeeze, then Barret leaned over to kiss Tifa on the forehead before straightening up with Marlene in his arm. "Let's go Denz."

The boy pushed off the window with his arms crossed. He almost walked by her without a word, but as he passed the bed, he pivoted suddenly and leaned down to give her a quick kiss on the check. "Get better…Mom," he whispered quickly before darting out of the door.

Vincent replaced the spot on her bedside the kids had just left. He wiped at a stray tear leaking down her cheek. "Just one more night," he said. "Then, home."

"Yeah," she said, smiling through the tears now streaming to her chin. "One more night, then no more hospital!" She glanced at the serum still dripping from the healing agent, then down at her arm. She made a small prayer, imploring anyone in the Lifestream who still loved her to help her heal.