Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Coming Home ❯ Chapter 2 ( Chapter 2 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

By the time Tifa had prepared a hearty meal of stew and warm bread, Vincent had spilled the beans about Lilli and when Tifa finally returned to the table, Vincent continued.

“There is a rumor circulating that for the past three years, Shinra has been keeping tight security on the entire area surrounding Nibleheim… I thought it was just people talking… but it may be more.”

Tifa took a drink of her water, brow furrowed.

“How much more?”

“After searching some of the private resources, I found that quite a few of Shinras top scientists have gone missing during these last 2 years, but according to Reeve, these “missing” men and women have been filing documents that date as recent as 3 months ago.”

Barret shoved a spoonful of stew in his mouth and nodded.

“Speakin a Reeve… Where da hell is he?”

“Alas, he sends his regrets that he has other affairs, but I am here in his stead.”

Cat Sithes' voice was heard at Vincents' feet. Yuffie looked down in surprise.

“Woah! How long've you been here?”

“Lassie, I've been `ere for the last fifteen minutes listnin ta ya jabber!”

Vincent actually smiled at the cuddly puppet as Marlene rushed over to pick him up. Once she sat back down in her seat next to Tifa, Cloud spoke up.

“So… Lilli… what's her story Vincent?”

The gunman cleared his throat. “Reeve found some unlabeled documents in Shinras' computers. In these he acquired information on Lilli… Her mother, a woman named Tabitha Reed was a scientist for Shinra shortly after Hojo. When Lilli was 18 Miss Reed handed her over for experimental purpose.”

Tifa, practically a mother herself was disgusted.

“That's horrible!”

Valentine nodded. “Indeed… but the first thing she ordered was a memory wipe… figuratively speaking, the girl is a vegetable as far as her past life is concerned.”

Yuffie took a sip of her water and growled. “If that bitch was here I'd give her what for!”

Barret nodded. “I'll drink ta that!”

Vincent shifted his weight a bit before continuing.

“The girl had most done to her what an animal wouldn't even have accepted… her mother and the companies experiments were much like Hojos back when the S.O.L.D.I.E.R. program was rising to ranks.”

“So inhumane that no one would volunteer.” Clouds voice was distant. Valentine nodded to him before continuing.

“It also seems strange that Miss Reed comes up in the files as one of the missing scientists I mentioned earlier… but we have to be cautious.”

“Why's that?” Cloud asked before taking a bite of food.

The gunman crossed his arms and took in a gusty breath.

“The different injections that were put into her system are some that I am not even familiar with… some could be quite dangerous.”

Cloud swallowed his food and wiped his hands with a napkin. “So am I right in assuming that if she's been experimented on with Mako… then-“

“She's like you and Sephiroth? Yes… minus of course the Jenova cells.”

Yuffie, being a Materia expert who also knew a few things about other powerful substances chimed in. “Well not to compare you two or anything Cloud, but since S.O.L.D.I.E.R., so many more combinations have been uncovered… I mean that was just something I overheard last year, not that I know everything, and don't ask me who I heard it from cuz I can't remember… wait! I remember now!”

The whole table spoke in unison:

“Yuffie!”

“Gawd! Sorry!”

Vincent closed his eyes and rubbed his temple with his right hand. “Yes Yuffie… Since the rise and fall of S.O.L.D.I.E.R., new ways of combining Mako have been uncovered. What is worst of all is that Lilli had no reprieve… They could have done as many as 3 experiments on her in an hour period… it's sickening to think of really.”

The table fell silent as food was finished, drinks drained and thoughts mulled over heavily. But Vincent was not finished.

“Furthermore, to keep a combination from taking over the specimen, an antidote of sorts would be administered. Now… I am not saying that is what happened to Lilli, but until we can meet with Reeve, we have to think about what could have happened… Lilli could have gotten away before one could have been given to her… or she escaped and not given one at all… either way this may be why she can not remember her acquiring her freedom… if she got away without an antidote injection… she could change into a different form as I do… making her extremely dangerous… this could happen anytime, anywhere.”

“Like a time bomb.” Clouds voice was dark.

“Exactly.”

“Tifa.” Marlene finally spoke. “Lillis not mean is she?”

“No sweety… she just has some things wrong with her and she might be really sick.”

“Like Denzel was?”

“Yeah kinda like Denzel baby girl.” Barrets role of daddy took over and his voice was tender.

Cid listened quietly… the entire time he uttered not one word. He just smoked one cigarette right after another in between bites of his food. Suddenly he stood up and his chair scooted out behind him with a screech.

“If y'all excuse me, I'm goin outside.”

“Woah Cid! Where you goin?” Barret bellowed.

“None yer business Wallace… this yammer'in is just a bit depress'in Capuche?” And with that, he stormed outside, slamming the door behind him.

Vincent, who held a finger to his lips grunted in thought as Barret spoke.

“Whadda hell crawled up his ass?”

“Your voice probably.” Cloud answered.

Barrets reply was a smack upside Clouds head playfully.

“Enough outta you Foo!”

Tifa rose to clear the table and Cloud stood to help her. “So… what do we do now?” He asked Vincent as he grabbed a few plates and cups.

Valentine scooted his chair back and stood up.

“I'm going back to the area surrounding Nebleheim… see if I can find any traces of a lab… those scientists have to be somewhere… I intend to find out where. I will be back in a few days… until then Lilli is not to be outside in Edge. By the descriptions in the files that Reeve told me about, she was a valuable specimen and asset… I do not believe they are going to just forget about her… that is not Shinras way.”

Cloud paused. “And the rest of us?”

“I'll be sending word by phone… until then everyone should stay close to Midgar.”

Marlene, clutching Cat Sithe, stepped up to Vincent quietly and tugged on his tattered cape. He looked down at her in surprise, his ruby eyes peering from over his collar.

“Yes?”

Marlene spoke sweetly as she only did when she talked with him.

“You got a phone?”

Vincent stepped back and flung his arm out, exposing his belt. Sure enough, there latched to his onto it, next to his gun was a brand new cell phone tucked neatly in it's leather case. She smiled up at him and as serious as Vincent was he couldn't help but smile back. He winked at her and walked out of the bar… gone.

Barret rose and soon he and Marlene headed home. Like always, Cat Sith went where Marlene did.

“See ya later Spiky!” He waved to Cloud as the two… or rather two and a half left the bar.

Tifa trudged out from the kitchen and scanned her premises.

“Is Cid back yet?”

Yuffie shook her head. “Nope… but I see enough smoke to choke a Zuu outside, so I'm guessin he's still out front.”

Cloud started towards the door, but Tifa stopped him.

“No Cloud… I think it's time I did the talking… I think I know what's wrong.”

Tifa was right. She was the only one who could chisel through Cids rough exterior without the pilot minding… so Cloud let her go.

“Ok… good luck sweets.” He pulled her to him and kissed her forehead before sending her on her way.

Tifa found Cid outside pacing back and forth in front of the doors, smoke rising from him like he himself was on fire.

He was so into his own head he didn't even see her at first. When she spoke he jumped.

“So… nice day huh?”

Cid grunted, his back to Tifa.

That was strange… usually he always at least threw her a smile… even when he was feeling down. But not today.

He threw down his smoke and stomped down off the steps.

“I'm go'in home.”

“Cid! Wait!” Tifa was in total shock.

“I said I'm go'in HOME Lockheart!'

Tifa was speechless… for the first time in 2 years; Cid had treated her like one of the guys!

* * *

Cloud looked up when he heard the door close. Tifa leaned back against it for a moment. “Wow, that was quick.”

Lockheart sighed. “You might as well have gone out there.”

She threw her hands up in exasperation.

Cloud was stunned. “What? You're joking.”

Yuffie was just as shocked. “You-you mean…”

“Yup! Blew up at me like the Smokestack he is and took off… said he was going home!”

“No… he won't go home.”

“Hmm?” Tifa and Yuffie asked in unison.

Cloud began walking up the stairs as he replied, pausing to look at them. “He may go home to lock up the shop… grab some stuff… but as long as she's here?” He laughed as he turned to continue up the steps. “That `ol callous isn't going anywhere.”