Guilt’s Cost: Part XXVI

Departure

For the next few days, Tifa and Vincent spent most of their time in the room they had been provided. Her recovery from the surgery was quick, and she was feeling more or less herself again. The incision was healing well, and the doctor had given her okay for Tifa to go with Vincent and Tseng on their trip.

Tseng in the meanwhile did his best to keep working behind the doctor’s back. He did most of his work via the computer terminal in his room, but there were other tasks around the base that occasionally required his personal presence. When Dr. Arlin had caught him on such errands, she would reprimand him loudly while escorting him back to his room.

Now Dr. Arlin was gone, having left that morning to attend her conference. Other doctors worked within the base, but none had the woman’s nerve to challenge Tseng’s authority.

Angel visited Vincent and Tifa often during this time, sometimes with Reno. Vincent did his best to tolerate his would be son in law, but at times found it hard, especially when Reno would do things to intentionally rile him.

Vincent was tempted to tell Tifa and Angel both about Aeris being the mystery woman that had helped create his daughter, but kept himself from doing so. In his heart he still bore the pain of his mistreatment of the Ancient when she had tried so hard to be his friend. Until he figured out how to deal with that, he would need to keep this piece of information between Tseng and himself.

Vincent had spent the morning packing the small number of belongings that he and Tifa had between them in preparation for the trip. Tifa had gone up out of the base with Angel to get some new clothes and personal effects. Vincent had wanted to go with them, but realized that he should let the two women have a chance to talk by themselves. Besides, going with two women shopping didn’t really seem like something he would want to do.

Vincent had just finished latching the suitcase that Tseng had provided him when a knock came at the door. He opened it to find his brother standing there. "Morning, Tseng."

Tseng stood buttoning the sleeves to his suit. "Tsuvati, are you ready?"

Vincent cringed to hear his old name spoken, but would let his brother get away with it. "I think so, I’m just waiting for Angel and Tifa to get back. They’ve been gone for a few hours, I hope everything is all right."

Tseng smiled at his brother’s concern. "They’ll be fine. This town is filled with ASRIO members. Most of them hold down full time jobs up there and I can assure you of Tifa and Angel’s safety. Besides, those are two women that would have absolutely no trouble defending themselves, but I’m sure I don’t have to tell you that."

He nodded, knowing that his brother’s words were true. "You’re right, I guess I’m just a little paranoid about them."

"That is to be expected." Tseng smiled. "With one being your daughter and the other your lover, it is perfectly natural."

Hearing Tifa referred to as his ‘lover’ made Vincent blush slightly. "In any event, as soon as they get back, I’ll be ready."

"Good. When you are ready, bring them up to the airstrip overhead. There is an airship waiting to take us to our destination. Reno and I will be onboard." Tseng said as he prepared to walk away.

Vincent reached out and grabbed his brother’s arm. "What? Reno is going too?"

Tseng nodded. "Yes, I invited Angel and Reno. I knew that they could use a break as well and I could."

Vincent let his hand fall back to his side. "Some vacation. I have to spend two weeks with Reno? That is just marvelous."

Tseng frowned at his brother’s sarcasm. "I really would have hoped that your opinion about Reno would have improved after talking to Angel about him."

Vincent flipped his cybernetic arm. "I can only be expected to put up with so much of him. Just because Angel loves him doesn’t mean I’m going to. Besides, he still acts like an ass to me."

Tseng smiled. "Just keep in mind that the things he says are meant in jest. I will ask him to tone it down around you, though."

"Thanks." Vincent mumbled as he shut the door. He was genuinely disappointed that Reno was going, but he couldn’t deny that it would be pleasant to have Angel along.

He laid down on the bed in an attempt to fight off the headache that he had gotten after hearing about Reno’s invitation. Vincent was just about to drift off when the door to the room burst open.

Tifa and Angel entered the room giggling and talking, arms loaded with several shopping bags. As soon as they saw Vincent laying on the bed looking at them with what would have to be described as annoyance, they fell silent.

Tifa set down her bags and came to his side. "Vincent, is something wrong?"

He put his arm over his eyes, his headache still drilling at him. "No, my head just hurts."

"Do you want something for it?" Angel asked, coming up beside him as well.

He sighed and sat up; deciding that laying down wasn’t going to help. "I’ll be fine. Tseng and Reno are waiting for us on an airship."

Everyone present could tell by the way he had spat out Reno’s name that he was irritated by the thought of the man.

Angel’s expression at once turned sour. "If you don’t want him to go, I’ll ask him to stay behind, but he might not want me to go without him."

Vincent swallowed his pride in an attempt to spare his daughter’s feelings. "I’m sorry, it’s not about Reno going."

Angel and Tifa could both tell he was lying, but decided that they wouldn’t push their luck by confronting him.

Tifa offered him her hand as he rose from the bed. He walked over and picked up the bags she had dropped as well as the suitcase he had waiting by the door. Vincent stepped out into the hall and looked back at his two companions. "Come on girls, they’re waiting."