Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Coming Home ❯ Chapter 3 ( Chapter 3 )

CHAPTER 3: Fast Friends

 

Lilli awoke to the sounds of night traffic in the streets below. Her head hurt… had she really slept that long? She crept out of the spare bedroom and saw Tifa curled up next to Cloud in the otherbedroom. She smiled to herself… honestly, she felt like they were like her parents in a way. At least someone truly cared about her and that felt nice.

Her pounding head reminded her of her destination… the bathroom. Maybe Tifa had something to help the pain.

Lilli found some painkillers and quietly made her way to the kitchen for a drink of water, when she heard noise downstairs…. Like footsteps.

Curiosity got the best of her. Quietly she opened the front door and slowly descended the stairs. When she reached the bottom, all she saw was darkness.

Suddenly someone grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her down behind the bar, covering her mouth.

“Shhh.” She recognized the voice.

Cid let her go gently and stood up to peer over the bar counter. There were figures outside 7th Heaven peering in the windows.. and then- a blinding light made him squint.

He ducked down again and this time he pulled Lilli to him.

“Tuck yer legs up girlie.”

Lilli gathered herself into a ball, concealing herself from sight. The figures shone their flashlights in through the windows, scouring every inch of the bar. After a moment Cid heard a familiar voice.

“Nope nothing here sir… all clean.”

Reno.

“Alright men, move out! We're done here here!”

After a flurry of footsteps, the men were gone. Cids tight embrace on Lilli lessened and the both of them stood up slowly. He brushed himself off as he quickly regarded her.

“You alright?”

She nodded.

“What in the hell are ya do'in up this late anyway?”

Lilli was shocked. “What areYOU doing here at this hour?? You don't even live here! And how did you get IN??”

He chuckled. It was rich hum that made Lilli smile in spite of herself. He lifted up a ring of keys and jingled them at her.

“Barrets always leavin somth'in behind in my shop when he comes callin and I left my smokes over on the booth there yonder…”

Lilli continued to smile. “I see.” Pausing, she gestured to the windows. “Who were they?”

Cid lit a cigarette and offered one to her. She gladly accepted it and he replied as he lit hers.

“Shinra bastards… lookin for you.”

He swiped the ashtray from atop the bar and they both sat back down in case they returned.

Lilli was quiet for a moment.

“You live here? In this town I mean.”

Cid leaned his head back. “Nope… me I live in Rocket Town… it's quite a skip and a jump from here I'll tell ya that much… got my ships up there.”

“Ships?”

Great… now she'd done it. Barret always said that when it came to Cid and his ships, the Bastard would talk F-O-R-E-V-E-R about the subject…. So naturally, Lilli was about to listen to the biggest windbag ever to grace Midgar…. And the poor girl didn't even know it!

So… Cid told her… told her about the Highwind, not forgetting to quietly remind her that it was his last name. He told her about the Sierra and Tiny Bronco and the space program he was working so hard at…. And amazingly enough… she listened, in fact she almost seemed truly interested in his babblings.

2 packs of cigarettes and 4 hours later, night turned to dawn and Tifa awoke.

She pinched Clouds sides playfully.

“Hey sleepyhead wake up.”

Cloud moaned. “Eh…already?”

“I'll make breakfast!” She said in a sing-song voice.

Cloud opened one eye lazily and smiled. “Only if it's pancakes.”

“You got it Spiky.”

Tifa scurried down the hallway, tying her robe. Wait a minute!

She took a few steps backwards and peered into what was now Lillis bedroom. It was vacant.

“Lilli? Sweety?” She was no where to be seen!

Tifa scurried through the remainder of her abode only to find it empty.

“Cloud!!”

The urgency in Tifas voice jerked him out of bed. The warrior pulled on his pants and jogged down the hallway. “Teef, you ok?”

The motherly instincts had kicked in and Tifa was panicking.

“Lilli's gone!”

Cloud opened the front door, Tifa ahead of him and they hurried down the stairs. When she reached the bottom, she halted to a stop, throwing her arm out to stop Cloud… so fast in fact, that he almost ran into her.

“Teef, what the-“

“Shh.” She pointed calmly to what she saw.

There, behind the counter was Cid and Lilli. Both were fast asleep. Cid was reclined back against the bar, his goggles and gloves in his lap. He snored now and again and Lilli was leaning up against the side of him her arms around her sides. 2 overly full ashtrays and a lighter sat between them.

Cloud scratched the back of his head and yawned as he made his way back upstairs.

“Like I said Teef, as long as she's here, that old callous isn't going anywhere.”

 

* * *

Lilli groaned as she opened her eyes lazily. She sat straight remembering where she was, but Cid was nowhere in sight. In his place, she found some cigarettes in a pile next to her leg and his coat was covering her. Lilli smiled to herself, picking up the smokes and went upstairs.

 

Tifa was busy putting dishes in the sink to wash when Lilli walked in. “Hey!”

Lilli strode over to the kitchen table and sat down smiling. “Morning.”

Tifa poured her friend a cup of tea and handed it to her. Seeing that she was wearing Cids jacket and the pile of cigarettes lying on her table made her raise an eyebrow. “Have fun?”

Lilli played dumb. “Huh?”

Tifa crossed her arms and sat down next to her. “Huh? Nothing! I saw you two asleep downstairs.”

Lillis gaze fell as Tifa giggled. “Hey! No one's mad at you; I was just asking is all.”

The young girl breathed a sigh of relief. “I had fun… we just sat and talked… Cid told me about his airships.”

What the hell? Tifa was confused. The look on Lillis face was one of excitement… yet everyone else who'd heard him yammer on like that usually looked scarred for life! Tifa squinted her eyes.

“And you… enjoyed that?”

She nodded her head. “Well yeah! It was really fun! So exciting to hear about the space program… Tiny Bronco…everything.”

Fun? Exciting? Anymore words like that and Tifa was going to take Lillis temperature! Instead…

“Well I'm glad you had fun sweety.”

Quick! Tifa thought, Change the subject before I yack!

“Cid told me about Shinra… Are you ok?”

Lilli shrugged. “Yeah… it was kind of freaky… shining their flashlights in the windows and all… Cid said they were looking for me.” She paused to finger the sleeve of the coat she wore. It smelled like Whiskey and Rocket fuel. “Why? Why are they after me?”

Tifa smiled encouragingly and patted her arm. “Hon I really don't know… We'll find out soon enough.” Lilli nodded.

“Go get cleaned up ok? We have to meet downstairs with everyone in a bit.”

Lilli stood, gathering her smokes. “Huh? Why?”

Tifa stood up as well and dove back into the dishes. “All of us are having a meeting over what Vincent's found out about you… he's been around Mt. Nabal these last few days.”

Lilli froze. “Did you say Mt. Nabal?”

Tifa paused her constant scrubbing to turn and look at Lilli.

“Well, I don't think I said Golden Saucer.” She put a hand on her hip. “You ok sweety?”

Lilli nodded quickly, smiling… but what was behind that smile shining in her eyes made Tifa worry.

“Well go on then… No Dilly-Dally!”

Lilli nodded. “Where's Cid?”

Tifa smiled at her question. “He's with Cloud… their running a few errands on the Highwind… Cloud can make deliveries faster with Cids help… Now hurry!”

 

 

Lilli wiped the steam off the bathroom mirror with a bare hand and regarded herself. That name… Mt. Nabal… it sounded so familiar… like an old enemy. It troubled her… gave her a feeling of dread. As she stared at her reflection, Lilli begun to feel lightheaded. Something was wrong… she couldn't breath suddenly. It felt like someone was squeezing her throat shut.

The young girl began to panic, banging a hand on the edge of the sink. A tingling sensation began pricking her skin… all over like pins and needles… then more painful until it was all she could do to not twitch. It felt like hundreds of hot pokers were jabbing her.

She needed help, but couldn't breathe well enough to even whisper. Lilli collapsed against the bathroom door, her vision blurred… and then… as if someone flipped a switch, it stopped.

Her head pounded with pain… as thoughts, memories that had all been secluded from her began rushing into her brain like a thunderstorm. The men… she saw their faces… a room… like some kind of lab… she saw it like it was yesterday. She heard the screams and crying of the others… the others like her. And that woman... some… some kind of a doctor… she could see her face plain as day. “I'm sorry.” She heard her say and then… Darkness.

Lilli came out of her thoughts, fumbling to stand. When she finally got her feet under her, she made her way to the sink again. But when she yet again met her reflection in the mirror… a scream escaped her throat.

 

 

“Lilli? Open the door sweety please!”

Tifas words were too much like a worried mother Cloud thought.

The four of them, Barret, Cloud, Cid and Tifa all stood outside the bathroom door and had been for the last hour. When Tifa heard Lilli screaming she came to her aid… but when all she got was a locked door and crying from the other side, she called Cloud.

It was now Barrets turn to try. “Honey? We all your friends here… ya know dat right?”

Nothing… just sniffles. Wallace sighed. “We just wanna help honey… dat's all… come on.”

“I'm never coming out! I look like a freak!”

Tifa threw her hands up in frustration.

Cloud cleared his throat. “Lil… what's wrong? Come on please.”

“What happened sweety?” Tifas voice cut through Clouds.

More crying. “I'm changing… it's happening.”

Tifas eyes flashed as Barret spoke up.

“Where's Vincent when ya need somthin explained?”

Tifa leaned close to the door, her voice soft. “Are you remembering things honey?”

There was a whimper. “Y-yes… I… I know what they did to me… it was awful!”

She began sobbing again. Tifa looked at Barret… then Cloud and all three of them turned to Cid. His face was nothing short of worried to death. Tifa stepped towards him. “You wanna try?”

Like fate snapped its fingers, Lillis voice rang out before he could reply.

“I wanna talk to Cid…where is he?”

The three made a path for him as he stepped up to the door. The engineer cleared his throat and scratched his cheek.

“Hey girlie… it's me.”

“Cid?”

He smiled to himself. For some reason, hearing her say his name made him feel so much better. He shifted his weight nervously from foot to foot.

“Yeah Darlin it's me… you alright in there.”

“Not really… no.”

Tifa took this moment to hand the pilot her bathrobe. Cid took it and spoke up. “Ya need me ta come in there and help ya? I got Teef's here robe.”

Lilli sniffed and Cid heard her bare feet pitter-patter up to the door. “L-let me have it first.”

She unlocked the door and he stuffed the robe the best he could through the tiny opening in the doorway.

The door shut for a moment and then;

“Ok… you can come in.”

Cid raised his eyebrows and gathered his wits about him. Women! This can't be all that bad… Hell!

Slowly he opened the bathroom door and stepped inside. He felt a jolt of shock through his body when he saw her. There she was… sitting on the edge of the bathtub. Her long black hair sweeping down her back to touch the floor. But it wasn't her hair that shocked him… it was her skin.

From head to toe she was as white as a sheet of paper… she still had a hint of pink sprinkling her cheeks, but she looked like a porcelain doll! To be honest she was whiter then Vincent!

Cids eyes were wide… and though it was startling at first, he couldn't help but smile.

She looked up at him finally. “Well?”

He crossed his arms. “Well what? I'm here aint I? Didn't turn n run like some Piss-soaked hound! Now… you ready ta come on out here and talk ta everybody? The meetins gettin ready ta start.”

Lilli nodded, standing up slowly.

Cid watched her… whatever stopped, be it time or motion, he didn't know… but something made him want to gather her up in his arms and tell her everything was just fine… tell her how beautiful she looked. But past experiences stopped him.

She clutched her arms to her sides and walked over to the door. As she walked past him, reaching for the doorknob, he closed his eyes and inhaled the soft aroma of Lilacs… Tifas body spray never gave him a second thought… until now. Coming off her? It smelled like heaven….a contented hum escaped his throat. When Lilli froze, he jerked back to reality. Shit! Did she hear me?

That she did. Her hand dropped from the doorknob and she turned her head to look up at him. Her porcelain cheeks began to feel warm. She rolled her lips inward while staring him right in the eye. Cid felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up.

God Dammit… wish she'd stop lookin at me like that… I can't hurt her… I done that already… drove Shera away like a blind fool and now…. here she is… shit.

Lilli couldn't stop looking into his eyes…. So blue… like summer skies. He doesn't care, she thought. He doesn't care that I've changed… he still looks at me the same. She took in a slow breath. If only she could tell him how much that meant to her… if only.

Lilli came back to the present and opened the bathroom door slowly, looking up at Cid one last time she walked to her bedroom to get changed, shutting her door behind her.

Cid let out a heavy breath through his lips and stood for a moment rubbing the back of his neck. Dammit… what was happening to him?

 

 

Everyone was seated downstairs waiting patiently. This time Reeve and Red joined the group after being detained the last few days from previous engagements.

Everyone looked up, some turning in their seats when footsteps were heard coming down the stairs.

Lilli's apparent change was shocking, but incredible. Against her maroon tank top and jeans she looked like a ghost… a beautiful ghost. Yuffie giggled. “Well Vinnie, looks like your not the only one who looks malnourished.”

“Yuffie!” Tifas voice was scolding.

But to everyone's surprise, Lilli began laughing. A flood of relief ran through the group and as soon as Lilli contained herself, Vincent spoke.

“It is good to see you again Miss Lilli…please, sit down… we have much to discuss.”

Cid took her gently by the arm and led her to a vacant seat next to Tifa. They all watched him as he scooted the chair under her. He hovered over Lilli apprehensively, leaned over farther and kissed the top of her head abruptly. When he took his place across from her, there was a stunned silence. Even Reeve looked at the pilot with a blank stare. Cid grabbed the smokes from his goggle strap and eyed everyone. “What??!” He snarled.

Vincent shook his head before clearing his throat.

“The rumors are indeed true… several times I saw Shinra security sweeping the area around Nibleheim…. It was all I could do to keep from being seen. They have not ventured as far as Rocket Town but the area below was hard to avoid even for me. This leaves unanswered questions for Rufus Shinra… questions regarding Lilli and the goings on with her mother.”

“My mother?” Lilli looked over at Vincent.

He gestured to Reeve. “You are the one who uncovered this information….perhaps you should now take control of this meeting.”

The groups attention turned to a suave looking man seated next to Cloud. He nodded.

“Miss Tabitha Reed was your mother Lilli… but as far as your birth name or birth date are concerned, that in itself is a mystery since there is no record of your fathers name. She was a successful scientist who studied Dr. Gast and Dr. Hojos work closely even after their death.” Reeve paused to thumb through a few of the papers that lay before him.

“According to these files, Lilli was selected, as you all know, at the age of 18 by her mother to be used as a guinea pig for purposes unknown to me… the files do not state this at all.”

“Another question for Rufus.” Cloud piped up.

Reeve nodded in agreement before continuing.

“However, it is stated here that you escaped on your own during transport.” He paused again to look at Lilli.

“This is no easy task my dear…especially if the transport is from Shinra. Do you remember anything?”

She scratched her chin in thought. “All I can remember is being shoved into a big crate in the back of a truck.” She said all this with an intense look on her face. It was apparent the girl was picking her brain like never before. She sighed. “But that's it… I'm sorry.”

Reeve smiled. “It's quite alright.” He turned his attention to everyone else at the table. “The most valuable piece of information I have gathered is this file dated quite recently… 2 days after Vincent found our little runaway.”

Lilli smiled. She could tell by the affection in Reeves voice that he was becoming very fond of her. She was right.

“This file is what lists Lilli as escaped and has on it what I just read to you all concerning her being alone during escape. It says here: No unnecessary precautions are to be taken. Transport said specimen #32140 to base lab. Be it destination reached, terminate all living proof and return by said date.”

Lilli listened quietly, examining the tattoo on her wrist. It matched the number Reeve spoke of just now. Cid extended his arm across the table to her offering Lilli a smoke. Without even looking up, she accepted. When her fingers grasped the cigarette, Cid lifted his fingers and brushed them over hers. Tifa was watching and smiled at him. Cid caught his friends gaze and cleared his throat, sitting straight to look at Reeve.

“The location of this said base lab is unknown. But it is quite possible that wherever it is, these missing scientists are as well, alive and continuing with their studies… Now I have not only found Lillis file but also those of others that were used for such things like her.”

Yuffie gulped. “And?”

Reeve gestured to Vincent, who leaned back in his seat, crossing his arms. The gunman continued where Reeve left off.

“Whatever these people including Lilli were being used for, they were to be gotten rid of as soon as their usefulness was gone… like worthless lab rats. Sadly Lilli is the only one of these people who survived. But her escape is not what they planned and the longer Lilli remains at large, her memory may return… and this is not the best thing for Shinras reputation, now that Rufus appears to have gone all squeaky clean.”

Tifa put a hand on Lillis arm, looking at Vincent. “So what do we do now? We can't just let them hunt her down like some animal!”

Vincent nodded. “And to let them would be just as wrong.” His attention turned to Lilli. He leaned in towards her and spoke gently.

“I brought you here… I have brought my friends together to fight a battle that is not their own… but they are no longer just my friends now… they are yours as well.”

Lilli broke away from his hypnotic gaze to look at everyone. She studied each face one at a time. They weren't just acquaintances anymore…. They were her family. Over the last few days she had really carved out a place in her heart for each and every one of them… yes even Yuffie!

And then… her gaze fell upon Cid. He was just sitting there looking at his hands… and then, he glanced up and caught her eyes on him. He threw her a sideways smile and winked. She smiled back, looking at Vincent again. He raised his eyebrows as he spoke. “If the time calls for it… will you fight with us?”

Lilli nodded. “Yeah… let's do this.”

Tifa squeezed her arm encouragingly as Reeve spoke up.

“Very well… I know that everyone hates the waiting game, but since there is no immediate danger to Lilli, a few more days won't hurt anyone… but before any immediate action is taken, I must speak with Rufus.”

Clouds voice was impatient. “How long will that take?”

“He is away on business… but he arrives back in the area next week. I already have an appointment scheduled with him and will discuss these matters with him thoroughly. Hopefully this can be settled between two businessmen, instead of bringing weapons and blood into it.”

Reeve stood up. “Well then, I draw this meeting to a close… good evening.”

As he passed Lilli he reached out and patted her arm.

Everyone here is so nice, she thought. Everyone cares.

“Oh… Lilli?” Reeve had stopped at the front door. He looked like he had good news… and he did.

“Yes?”

“You may leave 7th Heaven if you would like… I think now that the prominate danger has gone, venturing out with either Cloud or Tifa is quite alright… however going out alone is not a good idea and I strongly suggest you listen to me on this.”

Lilli nodded. “Thank you sir.”

“Good evening my dear.”

 

 

By the time most everyone had gone, 5o'clock had rolled around and Lilli found solitude on Tifas back steps. It was the only place she could sit outside without being noticed. She still felt strange in this new skin. The sounds of cars, bustling people and children laughing all sounded like music to her ears. She closed her eyes, taking in a deep breath through her nose.

“May I sit with you?”

A strange voice startled her and when she opened her eyes, she was in awe. The biggest cat (or dog??) was standing beside her. She wasn't afraid. She knew who he was. Something made her want to grab him around the neck and bury her face in his flaming fur.

She nodded to him and Red laid down next to her. “I have come to keep you company as it is what we animals were created to take part in from time to time.”

Lilli reached out to touch his mighty frame, but hesitated. “Ummm… do you mind if I-“

Red closed his eyes and leaned his weight into her which was his reply. She stroked his beautiful face, scratching behind his ears and under his chin. He growled happily as she finished it all off with a pat on his back.

He laid his head down between his paws. “You seemed troubled at the meeting… anything I can do Lass?”

Lilli smiled down at him. “Not really troubled… I just want to know where I came from… who I am. For all I know Midgar could have been my hometown… I could have lived next door to Tifas for all I know… but…” her voice faded away as she pursed her lips.

Red lifted his head and licked the side of her face in comfort. She laughed at the feeling and wiped her cheek.

The great animal chuckled. “Aaah, see my child? Never forget that laughter can get us through the hardest of times… laughter, love… these both tie into happiness. And that is what has kept my group of friends together so long. We are family… we are one.”

He laid his head on her lap and smiled. “And we are all here for you.”

Lilli embraced his neck, holding him close.

“Thank you.”

 

 

After the meeting, Tifa opened 7th Heaven for the remainder of the day. She was busy serving customers and all the while, Vincent stood by her back door, looking out the window.

Tifa slid her last beer order down the counter to a young man and walked back to Vincent, wiping her hands. “Hey!”

He didn't turn to look at her, but gestured to Lilli chatting away to Red on the back steps.

“She is a blessing, that girl.”

Tifa smiled. “I think she's given us all a bit of something since she's been here.”

Vincent nodded. “I am amazed at how one person can change the course of another…can fill the voids and bring anew spring to a wintered soul.”

Tifa laughed quietly. “Watch it Valentine… keep up this poetry talk and you might just sweep me right out from under my feet.”

Vincent smiled in reply, as Tifa spoke again.

“You really think highly of her don't you?”

“I envy her… she has gone through so much for her youth… to be so at peace with who she is… she may be troubled for not knowing her past…unlike me, she can go on… but still, I respect her.”

“The fact that she can deal with the pain and yet enjoy life?”

“Yes.”

“You mentioned her bringing spring Vincent.”

The gunman finally turned around and tossed his clawed hand in the direction of Cid. The pilot sat across the way playing cards with Barret. “Everyone has seen his change… she has done nothing special, yet it was so much more then any of us could have done for him… to have that much beauty inside… that much love… she is the person he has needed… Shera wanted him to change… and left because he wouldn't… but really, the reason he didn't change was because she didn't truly understand him.” Tifa continued to watch Cid with a thoughtful expression, like she was seeing Cid in an all new light as Vincent continued.

“Lilli… was patient enough to understand him… and now… he loves her for it.”

Tifa nodded. “Huh… your right… perhaps the Planet sent her to be the glue that holds this family together.”

Vincent smiled as he walked away from her.

“Perhaps.”