Hi there,

I know it’s been a while since I posted a new chapter but I’ve been very busy with a lot of various things. I’m back in action now for the time being and will get as much writing of this story done while I’ve got the chance. Please pardon the shortness of this chapter, another should follow within a day or so.

Secondly, as many of you already know, I’m no longer allowing anonymous reviews to my stories. This is necessary due to the fact that a reviewer that I banned from leaving signed reviews took to leaving unsigned ones. Since I do not wish to give this individual the platform on which to voice his unwanted commentary, I can only accept signed reviews from my legitimate readers. I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause any of you, but if you do not have a fanfiction.net ID and wish to discuss my story with me, feel free to email me at ksipesh@yahoo.com.

Thanks,

Kristen

By Kristen Gupton-Williams

Angel and Reno stood awaiting the ship’s arrival up on the airfield. Tseng had radioed ahead to warn Reno that he planned to be home sooner than anticipated so that everything that Reno had messed up could be back in place by the time his boss returned home.

They heard the airship approaching long before they could see it as its newly unveiled jet engines powered it homeward. Once it was above the field, the engines pivoted to aim down allowing the ship to come to the ground gently. Angel and Reno were nearly blown over by the force of the wash from the ship and covered their ears to protect them from the painful roar.

When the ship was finally at rest and the engines cut the hatch was flung open and Tseng emerged, quickly followed by Porter and Quigley.

Angel, excited to see her uncle ran to him and embraced him briefly. "I’m so glad you are back safely."

"So am I." Tseng smiled at her.

"How is my father?" Angel cut to the chase, not able to wait.

"He’s fine, although be it sedated." He replied. "Quigley has a way to rid him of that demon once and for all and I need to get inside to see that his lab is set up with everything he has told me he will need. Whatever you do, Vincent is not to know that we have a cure as Chaos would certainly exploit such information."

She stepped back from him not wishing to delay him further. "Okay."

Tseng gave Reno a quick nod before brushing past him and going down into the base followed closely by Quigley and Porter. They obviously had important work to get to and would not be detained.

A short time later another door on the ship was opened and a ramp slid out. Then out came the two male medics who had the bed that Vincent was tied to between them. Tifa was right at their side, not willing to let Vincent out of her sight for fear of what might happen to him if she did. Dr. Arlin was also with them.

Angel rushed over to see her father and Tifa. She could see that Vincent was apparently asleep and she looked at Tifa. "Are you okay?"

She shrugged, her exhaustion evident. "Yeah, I think so."

"And how is he?" Angel asked, motioning toward her father.

"He’s been out since getting on the ship in Rocket for the most part but I guess he’s alright despite the mental trauma this is causing him." Tifa sighed.

"Oh…" Angel felt Reno come up behind her and she reached out and took his hand, needing some comfort.

Reno inspected Vincent with a sidelong glance before turning his attention to Tifa. "Hey there, old man’s sleepin’ again, huh?"

Tifa cocked an eyebrow at him. "Hi Reno."

He winked at her and then shoved his free hand into his pocket. "Story of your life I think. Married fuckin’ Sleeping Beauty."

Tifa smiled in spite of herself. "Could be worse, I could be married to you, no offense Angel."

"Aw," Reno scoffed, "she don’t mind but she wouldn’t have married you anyway. She don’t swing that way."

Angel turned and pushed her annoying mate away. "You’re making me think twice about it, Reno."

Dr. Arlin cleared her throat in an attempt to get the attention of the group. "We really ought to get him inside and into the infirmary if you don’t mind."

A hush immediately fell over them as their momentary lightheartedness vanished. The medic again started pushing the gurney toward the base’s entrance with Reno, Angel, and Tifa trailing behind.

***

Cid sat at his kitchen table staring down at the baby in his arms who was for the moment asleep. He had been tormented with what had happened prior to Tifa and Vincent’s departure the day before and couldn’t shake it from his thoughts. Whether it was his place or not he felt like he should have gone with them back to the base in order to keep watch over the situation. With his infant son to take care of though, he didn’t know how he could have.

Suddenly an odd idea crossed his mind and he spoke quietly to his baby. "I wonder if that car seat thing Shera bought for you would fit in the plane’s seat…"