By Kristen Gupton-Williams

Vincent remained where he sat as the others broke up and dispersed into the ship. Soon he was sitting alone in the room with only Tifa and Tseng. His mind was spinning at what was going on and what he had just been told.

Tifa continued to cling to him tightly, both excited and terribly afraid. She found it hard to speak. "Oh Vincent, I can’t believe it."

He just nodded in response, not knowing what to say.

"I will be taking the ship back to Costa del Sol soon so that Quigley and his team can get underway." Tseng leaned back in his chair. "It will take them several weeks to get the accelerator built, and then several more months to produce the body. If you would like to remain here in Rocket for a while, that would be fine with me."

Vincent looked down at Tifa for a moment before turning to his brother. "I think Tifa would like it if we stayed here for a while longer. There doesn’t seem to be a pressing need for us to be back at the base for the time being anyway."

"Good enough." Tseng sighed before getting up. "I know Quigley is anxious to get to work on this and Dr. Arlin has a lot of research to go over so she will know what will be needed for the procedure. We will be taking off shortly. I suggest going and finding Mr. Highwind and ripping him from the navigation controls so we can leave."

Tifa smiled, knowing that somehow Cid most likely was on the bridge. She rose up and then offered her hand to Vincent. "Come on, let’s go get him."

Vincent followed somewhat unsteadily, still in some amount of shock. He went with her out of the room, only turning back to give his brother a short goodbye.

They made their way to the bridge and found Cid just as they suspected. He was sitting at the helm of the airship hollering at the crew about the levels on various gauges not being to his liking. The men huddled around him were wearing expressions of shame and confusion as they were verbally assaulted by the stranger with the baby in his arms.

Tifa went over and placed a hand on Cid’s shoulder. "Come on, it’s time for us to go."

He looked up at her incredulously. "These morons don’t know what in the Hell they are doing to this ship! They are running her into the ground. Why doesn’t Sunshine’s little sister get some men on this bird who know what they are doing?"

Tifa crossed her arms over her chest and cocked her head. "I’m sure that Vincent’s brother’s men are perfectly capable of running this air ship."

"My ass they are." Cid mumbled as he reluctantly pulled himself out of the captain’s chair. He gave the bridge one lingering look before heading out.

Tifa sighed as Cid pushed past her and Vincent. "Poor guy, he really misses the old ship we had way back when doesn’t he?"

"It would seem so." Vincent smiled at her. "Either that or he misses screaming at his crew. I’m not quite sure which."

Tifa laughed and hit Vincent playfully in the shoulder. "In any event, I think we better go before he stows away on this thing."

"You’re right." Vincent led her from the bridge.

They exited the ship and watched as it took back off into the sky. Vincent and Tifa remained alone in the field for some time, as Cid had already gone home. Vincent, still absorbed in his thoughts was silent for a long time. When he finally did speak, it was quietly. "I can’t believe this…"

Tifa, having her arms around his waist looked up into his eyes. "I know, it just doesn’t seem possible, but they all seemed fairly convinced that it can be done."

"I know." He sighed and shook his head. The overwhelming reality of it all crushed in on him and he felt the sting of tears in his eyes.

Seeing his change in expression, Tifa grew concerned. "What’s wrong?"

A wide smile broke across his lips. "I’m just so happy…"

***

The rest of the day passed without incident and eventually they all turned in for the evening. Vincent was restless all night as he was tormented by his thoughts. Morning found Vincent awake next to Tifa who was still soundly sleeping. He heard the baby start crying just a little after five in the morning and shortly thereafter he could make out the sounds of Cid clamoring around the kitchen.

Deciding that this was as good a time as any to talk to the pilot, Vincent slipped out of bed. He didn’t bother to put anything on, as he had come to accept that his mechanical anatomy really had nothing worth hiding. Besides, he figured it might do Cid some good to see exactly what had been done to him.

He made his way silently to the kitchen and walked over to where Cid was sitting, offering the infant a bottle.

Cid looked up, a little surprised to see Vincent up and even more shocked to see the state he was in. "What’s wrong?"

Vincent shrugged and pulled out a chair before sitting. "Nothing."

"It’s not like you to go spooking around the house naked at zero dark thirty." Cid was doing his best not to stare but found himself doing so nonetheless.

"Why not? It’s no as though I have anything to cover up." Vincent folded his hands on the table in front of him. "But I do need to talk to you."

"About what?" Cid asked, as he shifted the baby from one arm to the other. "You sure as hell ain’t looking for advice from me, right?"

"Not exactly." Vincent flashed a brief smile.

"You’re not having second thoughts about getting hooked up to a new body are you?" Cid narrowed his eyes.

"No, I’ve resolved that I am going through with it, as long as you promise me something." Vincent lowered his voice as he tried to hide the pain within him.

"What’s that?" Cid’s curiosity had the better of him now.

Vincent gathered himself and stared down at his hands. "The procedure is not without its risks as you can imagine. Knowing that you are the only one on this world, save perhaps Jaras, that cares about Tifa as much as I do, I need to know that you will take care of her if I don’t live."

Cid was taken aback by this and thought for a moment. "Me? Why not ask Jaras?"

Vincent broke into a smile. "I think we both know that Jaras is in no position to be supportive to Tifa in the way she would need. Besides, I know very well that Tifa loves you very much and she and Jaras don’t share that."

Cid was again dumbstruck. "God Vincent…"

"Look Cid," Vincent locked gazes with the other man, "I just need to know that you’ll be there for her, that’s all. And if out of that, something more develops, you have my full support."

"God damned, Vincent." Cid leaned back in his chair. "Sounds like you don’t think you’ll live through this."

"There is a chance I may not." Vincent shrugged. "It is just for my peace of mind to know that if I don’t make it, Tifa will have someone to lean on."

"Of course I’d be there for her." Cid placed the now empty bottle on the table as he hoisted the baby onto his shoulder. "And I appreciate your approval of Tifa being with me, but I’m sure she’d be on the market for someone her own age. I think we both know she wouldn’t want me."

"I’m not saying that she would end up with you, but if she did, I wouldn’t mind. Remember, I’m a hell of a lot older than you, Fly Boy." Vincent grinned again before dropping his gaze.

"Okay." Cid sighed as he finally got the baby to burp. He then cradled the sleeping infant in his arms. He for a moment did wonder about what life would be like with Tifa, and he had to admit it was appealing. As soon as they came however, he shook these images off. "I can’t believe we’ve gotten to the point where you would ask me this."

Vincent laughed quietly. "I know, it is weird but like I said I know there is a certain connection between you two."

Cid flushed red for a moment. "Thanks. You’re right though. I do like Tifa… a lot. Hell, I always have I guess. She’s a great girl."

Vincent smiled and got up. "Well, you’re a great guy. I just feel better knowing that I can rely on you."

"Sure." Cid watched as Vincent left, still in shock over what had just been said.

A/N: I promise the next chapter won’t take so long to get up. I’ve just been a little busy.