Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Coming Home ❯ Chapter 7 ( Chapter 7 )

Chapter 7: Proof

 

Cid came into the house, pulling off his gloves, he took one look at his kitchen and furrowed his brow. What the hell?

Lilli was sitting on the counter, a plate piled high with sandwiches sat next to her along with a piping hot teakettle…. And a clean kitchen!

She folded her hands in her lap and smiled when she saw him. “Lunch?”

Cid threw his gloves on top of the couch and pulled off his apron , hanging it on it's hook. He scratched his cheek, sauntering into a kitchen he no longer recognized.

“You like?”

He smiled and rested a hand on either side of Lilli. He looked up at her and sighed happily. “Darlin… I…” he paused, his blue eyes dancing all over her face. She blushed under his gaze, her eyes shifting nervously. “What?”

He wanted to say it… wanted to say he loved her…. He knew he did… but for some reason, he couldn't say the words. Knowing his luck? He just might jinx them!

He shook his head, changing the subject.

“I like it girlie.” He gestured to the kitchen, taking a step back. “But in one work day… it'll be covered in shit again.”

“Uh-huh.” She hopped down from the counter, handing Cid a plate for lunch. “And when it does… I'll clean it again!”

Again? Cid pondered that while he piled some sandwiches on his plate. Did she… want to stay here? With him? He could only hope… he secretly wouldn't want it any other way.

 

 

 

* * *

Reeve sat in a chair seated in the main meeting hall in the The new Corporate building belonging to Shinra. The gentlemen seated opposite him at the head of the table, stood up and made his way to stand in front of the window. A tense silence hung in the air.

“You're sure it's her?”

Reeve cleared his throat. “Yes…. No doubt… but I have come on behalf of her… she is of no danger to the public or to you Rufus. Her memory is void… you have nothing to worry about.”

Shinra crossed his arms as he turned to face Reeve, who continued. “Burn her files Rufus… she is no threat to you now. She has no idea what or who she is… she doesn't even remember her name. What can she do?”

Rufus nodded, his face somber. After a moment he smiled at Reeve in a sympathetic fashion as he spoke.

“You amuse me… You always had the heart that I never could have.” He sat back down in his chair and raised an eyebrow.

“I cannot trust your judgment on this Reeve, I never have… your duties lie here, but your weak probing feelings are with them… you spend far too much time listening to their idle goings on… therefore I cannot help but wonder if your hiding something from me.”

Reeve, trying to keep calm, leaned forward slightly.

“Why? Why would I? A girls life is at stake here! That is why I am speaking with you. Not to play good guy, bad guy… That game is far too dangerous… I have seen what it can do.”

Rufus took in a deep breath, looking Reeve over his eyebrows.

“SHE is my property… she belongs to the Corporation! I have her birth certificates, the contract signed by both her and her mother Tabitha… until that specimen is 6 feet under, she is MINE!”

Reeve wasn't feeling very gentlemanly at this point. He raised his voice in anger. “Rufus, the specimen is a girl… a human with a beating heart. I will not sit here and have you tell me that what I fight for… what I believe in is futile! I won't!”

“FINE!!” Shinra slammed a hand down on the table. “You crawl back to the shadows like you always do… Hiding behind your desk having that feline do your work because your too much of a chicken shit to do it yourself!”

Reeves face became flushed as he hissed through his clenched teeth. “What would you have me DO then? Hmm? She has a LIFE now. She has a family, no they are not blood, but they are the only people who she knows and trusts. Why should I rip that away from her Rufus? WHY?!”

The President closed his eyes, folding his hands on the table top.

“I honestly, don't give a DAMN if she's taken up Chocobo breeding for some nighttime hobby… She-is-MINE!”

In the next breath his voice calmed to a strange businesslike tone that made Reeve uncomfortable.

“I want you to bring her here for questioning. I will return her the following morning when I am finished, you have my word. I will then decide her fate… but let me solely remind you Tuesti… a mind with it's wheels turning is not the most healthy thing for my company… or myself.”

“No!” Reeve stood up. The President was asking FAR too much now!

“Do NOT make her do that… And HELL if I am betraying her. Not after I have given her my trust!”

“Well then… I'll send Reno and Rude. I'm sure they would be more then happy to accompany you.”

This was Shinras polite way of saying that if Reeve didn't go with the Turks, Rufus would send a force to take out 7th Heaven… and everyone in it. Reeve was stunned. “You really… are still the same… just as cruel and heartless as your father was.”

Rufus smiled smugly at him. “Well thank you… at least I didn't inherit any of his bad traits… so really your compliment is most appreciated.”

His eyes turned cold as he continued with a snarl. “You will come here tomorrow morning. You will then go to 7th Heaven with my men and there you will abduct her, bring her to me and I will see if this specimen is as precious as you say she is.”

Reeve was speechless as Rufus smiled at him like everything was just golden. “You're dismissed.”

As Reeve walked towards the door, Shinra raised a hand. “Oh! … they give any reason for Reno to use force?… the girl is dead. Shot right there in plain sight.”

Tuesti stood for a moment, his insides were twisted in a grueling manner. He could not believe what he had just heard.

“You would do this? Without any remorse you would really exterminate her?”

Shinra shrugged. “Isn't that what you do to a lab rat when it becomes dangerous?” Without waiting for Reeve to reply Rufus waved a hand before looking down to sign paperwork. “You're dismissed.”

 

 

* * *

“Yes… yes I'm fine… Uh-huh… I know I have to be back by… uh-huh.” Lilli leaned back on Cids couch and then flopped down on her back in exasperation. “Uh-huh… yep… gotcha… BYE!”

Lilli hung up the cell phone in her hands.

“AAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!” There… she felt better.

“What the Hell?!” Cid came rushing into the livingroom. He had been out front smoking.

“Nothin… just Teef making sure I knew what time to come home… making sure I had a binkie…an extra sweater and medicine for every disease on the planet! What else?”

Cid chuckled as he grabbed his coat off the corner of the couch. “That bad huh?” Lilli groaned as she rolled over on her stomach to look at him.

“You really have no idea… you don't.”

He stood over her and leaned down to kiss her forehead. “Hey, come one baby girl… best git to 7th Heaven… Cloud called an said Reeve will be there in a while… best ta git ya back.”

She nodded. “Might as well get it over with.”

 

* * *

 

In the heat of the day, Tifa came out of the kitchen carrying a tray full of washed dishes and saw Lilli sitting at the far booth… well, also looking through the window at something… like she didn't want to be seen… and was grinning. Tifa raised an eyebrow and made her way over. “What are you doing?”

Like someone had smacked her, Lilli jumped and faced Tifa, a cheesy smile on her face. “Nothing! I was just…. Um… just…” she genuinely seemed worried to fine some excuse, so Tifa stepped up beside her.

“You had to have been looking at something inter…esting…” She stopped speaking when she saw the goings on outside the window. Cloud had his bike parked out front and both he and Cid were fixing the brakes. She looked down at Lilli in shock.

“Young lady… were you-“

“CLOUD??” Lilli was alarmed. “Oh! No! No not at ALL! Eww!”

Tifa raised an eyebrow. “Ok… that wasn't what I was going to say but-“ Tifa's eyes bugged suddenly… she was distracted…. Because Cloud had just taken his shirt off… and he was sweaty.

“Oh… now I see!” Tifas voice was sing-song as Lilli moved over to look. “Hey now!”

Tifa playfully elbowed her over. “Hell no! He's MY man!”

Lilli squealed with laughter pushing back. “Hey now! You think I'm lookin at Spikey? Hell no!”

Tifa stood back laughing and let Lilli stand in front of her since she was shorter. Both girls peeked out the open window, giggling like two high-school bippytwats.

 

Cloud threw his shirt onto the steps of 7th Heaven and stood straight.

“Dammit!” Cids voice boomed out from under the bike. “Strife this son-uva-bitch ain't gonna budge… ya got a wrench handy?”

“I think I got one in here somewhere.” Cloud squatted down to rummage through Barrets toolbox. Cid sat up and pulled off his shirt as well and chucked it over with his goggles and coat. He stood up to stretch his back and halted. What was that? He heard something… something like… giggling. His eyes shifted back and forth and then he shook it off. Damn ears been round motors too long… hearin shit now, great!!

“Found one, but the head is stuck.” Cloud rose to stand next to Cid. “Well lemmie…” Cid paused. Dammit! He heard it again… and this time he noticed Cloud heard it too.

“Where tha hell is that comin from?”

Cloud smiled without even looking up from the stubborn wrench. “It's our audience… tee-heeing.”

Cid and Cloud both turned slowly to look back at the bar windows.

“Oh Shit!” Tifa tried to duck, but bonked her nose on the back of Lillis head. “Tifa!” Lilli turned, startled and began to lose her balance. She tried to grab Tifa for leverage, but it was no use, and both girls went tumbling to the floor screaming.

Cid and Cloud watched the whole thing through the window, blank looks on their faces. Cloud nodded once and pursed his lips. “Yup… well that's about what always happens… but it's usually just Teef….”

Cid sniffed and rubbed his nose. “Cripe… Women.”

With that said, the two men turned back to their work shaking their heads.

 

Whenever Cid worked on other people's machinery, he always spent a good portion of that time criticizing them.

“Ya know Strife… if ya actually checked er breaks every once in a while? `stead a every 2 years…maybe she would'nt be such a bitch ta get apart!”

Cloud closed his eyes and sighed. “Uh-huh…”

After a moment, he sat down on the bars steps. “Have you talked to her yet?”

Highwind grunted as he scooted out from under the bike. He sat cross-legged across from Cloud and began packing his cigarettes. “Knew it'd only be a little while till you start bitin my ass too.”

Strife raised his eyebrows. “Something tells me you haven't… Old man… sooner or later she's going to find out. It wasn't like Shera was just a girlfriend you broke up with… this is-“

“Marriage! Yeah… I know that Strife… ya think I'm stupid?”

He roughly ripped off the paper inside his pack and took out a smoke. “I'm 35 years old Dammit! I ain't some kid… I know how-“

“How to handle it? Cid… you've never “handled” anything in your life! You spent a good portion of 2 years coming here and drinking yourself to some oblivion! You let the house fall into the sorry state it's in… well, or WAS until Lilli got there… it's-“

“Then that's IT!” Cid pointed at Cloud and then proceeded to light his cigarette. “Because she's here my house looks like Shera never left? Is that what you think? I love her cuz I thought she looked like Shera?!” He stood up angrily, taking a long healthy drag. “Well I'll tell ya what… if her lookin like Shera is why I am who I am right here… then Hell yeah! Say that's why… but it ain't.”

Highwind shook his head and paced back and forth a few times before speaking again.

“Ya know… Imma tell ya the truth, that's why she turned my head in the first place… it's true… but when Teef told me who she was? I realized it was the eyes… just her eyes that looked like Shera… everything else?” Cloud watched Cids gaze look past him… like he was recalling … something so wonderful… so incredible it took a moment to put into the right words. His lips curled into a sideways smile around his cigarette as he took a drag.

“Everything else is like… like the very things that make time stop Strife.” He looked Cloud in the eye again.. “There's a feelin… this feelin she gives me… makes me wanna do shit… be a better person… I can't really explain it ya know… cept like that.”

He threw his cigarette butt down on the ground and stood for a moment staring at it, his hands on his hips. He stayed like that for while before looking up at Cloud. “But I… I want her with me… I reckon I need her Strife… cuz… well Hell knows what I'd do without her.”

Cloud couldn't believe that he was listening to the same person he fought Kadaj with only two months ago. Cloud saw now what had happened… now he understood even more. She was put here for no one else but Cid… like the Planet did it on purpose.

Cid laid back down and scooted under Cloud's bike, picking up the wrench he'd been using. “Y'all got nothin ta worry bout… promised myself I'd talk to her… I plan on it right after the meetin.”

Strife smiled to himself. “Aye-aye Captain.”

 

 

When the brakes were done on Clouds bike, everyone arrived at 7th Heaven to meet with Reeve. Red was involved with other affairs and promised to stop by and get the update from Cloud later. Lilli relaxed upstairs with Tifa, as Barret, Cloud, Yuffie and Cid AND Vincent all chatted downstairs.

Footsteps on the stairs outside brought everyone to attention. “Wow… Reeve's right on time… strange.” Cloud guffawed. The doors to Tifas bar flew open and it wasn't Reeve who entered. It was Turks… quite a large group at that… and fully armed.

Cloud, Barret and Cid were the first to jump to their feet. Barrets arms transformed and fully loaded, he stood poised. Cid picked up his lance and sauntered over to Cloud, he sniffed coolly.

“Gentlemen, that there was one helluva rude entrance wouldn't ya say Strife?”

Cloud reached behind him and slowly drew his sword, eyes cold. “I'd say so… What do you want?”

“Actually, you were always the one who's rude Cloud.” Reno pushed his way to the front of the group of Turks, his partner at his heels. He flung out a hand. “Men!”

The Turks hadn't even budged yet when Vincent strode out from behind Cloud, his weapon drawn. Without hesitation, he stalked up to Reno and put his gun to the Turks head. The point of Valentines Death Penalty pressed firmly between Renos eyebrows.

“Don't make me Turk… I am in a fowl mood today.”

Reno held out his arm to keep his partner from doing anything stupid. “Temper, temper beastie… we just want the girl… that's all.”

Rude began edging towards Vincent, but this time a Shuriken came slicing through the air and landed between the gunman and the Turk, stuck in the floor.

“You wanna mess with Vinnie?” The little ninja strode out from behind the bar to stand firmly next to Barret. “You gotta get through ME.”

Vincent couldn't help the smile that played around his lips. His ruby eyes flashed. “I would listen to her if I were you… it makes her most unhappy when bad things happen to me.”

Rude cleared his throat and backed off. Hearing the commotion, Lilli and Tifa came rushing downstairs halting at the bottom.

“What the HELL are you doing?” Tifa was furious.

Reno waved his arms at Tifa. “We just want the girl… alive.”

“You ain't getting NOTHIN prick!” Cid spat out, his eyes like ice.

“Please! Gentlemen!” Reeve burst through the crowd of Turks. He'd obviously just arrived and seeing the aggressive scene before him, he became angry. “Reno! You were told to wait for me… what's going on?”

Vincent lowered his gun at the sight of Reeve, so Reno was safe to reply.

“The President doesn't like to wait…now would everybody just calm down?”

Rude nodded. “Yes… please… I was beginning to get nervous.”

Reno backhanded his partner on the arm. “YOU? I was the one with a gun to my head buddy!”

Vincent sniffed. “Need a change of pants Reno?”

“Shaddap!!”

Reeve walked quietly to stand between the opposing groups. His eyes were pleading. “I am sorry… but Rufus has ordered me to bring Lilli in for questioning.”

“Whaddya mean questioning?!” Cid bellowed as he stalked forward, but Cloud put an arm out to stop him. That still didn't keep him from talking though. “She ain't done nothing Reeve, you know that!”

Barret raised his gun arm and chimed in. “Aint none you Foo's getting to her… She been through enough! Back Off!”

Reeve nodded, a nervous eye on Cid. “I know… I know she is of no danger… to anyone, but Rufus will not relent… His words were that if you resist… the Turks will kill her.”

“Like HELL you are!!” Cid began to struggle against Cloud, but the blonde warrior stood firm. The Turks surrounded Tifa and Lilli as Vincent turned to Cloud, his face remorsed. “We have to relent… it is the only way Reeve can ensure her survival.”

Cloud nodded somberly and sheathed his sword.

“You're sure?” Clouds voice was firm. “This is all he's doing…. Questioning her?” Reeve nodded.

“Yes… he gave me his word she would be returned unharmed tomorrow.” He turned to Lilli his face sorrowed. “I am so very sorry… but… this is beyond my hands now.”

One of the Turks surrounding the girls grabbed Lillis forearm roughly. The feelings of panic and fear arose in her chest. She began to writhe. “No…please… don't do this!” She grabbed for Tifa, but another Turk held her friend back preventing contact with Lilli. Then… Hell broke loose.

“NO! I WON'T go!” She began throwing her weight back over and over as she flailed around.

“Get yer hands OFF her!” Cid shouted, trying to push foreword, but still Cloud held him back. Lilli started screaming at the top of her lungs as the Turk drug her past Strife. Lilli flung out her free arm trying to grab hold of him.

“NO!! YOU'RE MY FAMILY!! WHY ARE YOU LETTING THEM DO THIS?! DAMMIT, LET ME GO!!”

Another Turk at this point, pushed past Reeve to take hold of her as well. She kicked and screamed… then… locked eyes with Highwind… that did it.

“CID!!! NOOO! DON'T LET THEM TAKE ME! PLEEASE!”

Sweat rolled down Clouds face as he struggled to keep Cid back. The pilot wasn't built like he was just to look pretty. He was almost to tears, the anger boiled inside of him.

“DAMMIT! Leave her BE! She aint done NOTHIN!!”

Suddenly, Cid drew back and bashed his shoulder into Clouds gut, knocking the wind out of Strife. He rushed foreword towards Lilli, his Lance raised. Reeve threw his arms out.

“CID! NO!”

A gunshot rang out and everyone froze. The pilot stood motionless for a moment, his breathing in gasps. He dropped his weapon and blinked in disbelief. He looked down and saw the growing bloodstain on his shoulder… he then looked up at Lilli helplessly. The petite girl started screaming, struggling to get to him. “NO!!! You BASTARDS!!!”

Cids eyes rolled back as he began to collapse. Cloud ran foreword and caught him, pulling him back to Barret and the others.

As Lilli sobbed, she felt it… some kind of unnatural rage began to boil up, burning its way out of her heart and into her veins. Her breathing began to quicken. No…. this… this was unacceptable. She would not lose him… him OR her family. Lillis arms began to twitch, then her whole body. Her head tipped back as her eyes rolled back in their sockets. The group of Turks surrounding her friends and those that stood by the front doors, began to back up a bit apprehensively. Vincent signaled for everyone to come together including Reeve.

“We must stand clear of her…. It is… not safe.”

What he spoke was truth. Lilli suddenly flung out both of her arms, throwing the two Turks that held her, back with such force; they slammed into the front doors, unconscious.

She rose limply into the air, her body becoming engulfed in a glowing white light. Reno and Rude backed up to the far wall, their eyes wide. Her body began convulsing over and over as the light became brighter. Soon all of 7th Heaven was filled with such an aura, everyone had to shield their eyes. Barret stood protectively in front of Yuffie. “Whadda Hell is goin on?”

Suddenly, as if it was Barrets voice she heard, Lillis eyes flickered open and she rose up to stand straight, floating in mid air. Tifa scrambled to Clouds side, clutching his arm, she hid her face. Lilli had transformed… her long hair once ebony, now shone white descending in beautiful curls. Her eyes were solid black completely and her skin glowed an iridescent pearl. She descended softly to stand on her feet. Cid, still groggy from the pain in his shoulder, stumbled, but with Clouds help he stood up, a hand covering his wound.

Cloud glanced at Vincent. “What's happened to her?”

Valentine was so fixated on her, he almost didn't hear his friend. “She has become what Rufus feared she would be… the Mako injections had Materia compounds… her blood has mutated somehow… she IS magic… the bodily form of magic as I am Chaos… I have never seen anything so… beautiful.”

Reno elbowed Rude. “Well… partner, go on… get her.”

“Whaddya mean, go get her?? You idiot!”

Lilli stood still as if almost in a daze. The light around her subdued, so all could see her now. Her hair fanned, as if moved by some unseen breeze. She turned her head suddenly to glare at the Turks who surrounded Cloud and the others. How dare they come in here and try to hurt them!

She walked foreword and as she did, blue flames began to ignite around her whole body. When she spoke, it was like a radiant echo. “It has come to my attention… that you no longer need those.” And with a flick of her hand, every single gun the Turks held, iced over… so cold in fact, the frightened men had no choice but to drop them. The guns shattered into pieces at their feet. Lilli began laughing at the faces upon the now unarmed men

“I AM sorry, but you see… to me… this is very amusing.” Like someone flipped a switch, her humor turned to rage. She flung out her arms as she rose into the air before them.

“I have had just about enough of you!”

She lowered her hands and everyone, except for her friends began to cower to their knees as if being pushed down against their will. Barret cleared his throat and asked hoarsely:

“What's happnin?”

“Gravity.” Cloud answered, eyes wide. “She's using Gravity.”

Lilli wrinkled her nose in spite, her voice a shrill snarl. “I grow tiresome of you MEDDLING!”

Gravity was released and immediately the Turks were picked up off their feet. As they rose, up towards the ceiling she smiled. “You might want to button up… it's about to get very COLD in here.”

Reno had no desire whatsoever to see what was in store for those men. He began edging towards the front doors with Rude right behind him, when Lilli turned her head to glare at them. She outstretched an arm and waved a finger menacingly.

“Ah-ah-aaaaah!”

They both froze and answered her in unison. “Yes ma'am!”

A harsh wind began to blow inside 7th Heaven as her attention turned back to the men she held captive. The wind was cold… so bitter in fact, that the suits of the Turks became covered in frost…. But to her friends? It felt like warm summer breeze. As Lilli raised her arms, the wind accelerated and with a flash of her hand, the Turks were thrown across the room and through Tifas front windows. The impact was so great that the glass was blown clean off the panes.

Her gaze now fell on the only two left… Reno and Rude. She descended and once on the ground, her fury seemed to be diminished… but she was still angry. Lilli took a few steps towards them and lifted a finger thoughtfully to her lips.

“I will let you go unharmed… only because though you ARE cowards… you are not here to harm me… I very much doubt that you would have shot me even moments ago… therefore… only BECAUSE you are friends of my family you may go…. Crawl back to your precious Rufus… tell him there will be no questioning today… let him know what he, his company… my MOTHER have created… Now BE GONE!”

Reno scrambled past her and together he and Rude vacated 7th Heaven, petrified.

There was a stunned silence… no one could speak…. Except Yuffie. Her voice cut through the silence like a paper cut.

“That…was… FUCKIN AWESOME!!!!”

Lilli faced them and her attention immediately went to Cid.

In spite of his current state, the pilot stumbled foreword his shoulders hunched. He was unusually pale. He halted and looked up at Lilli slowly. That was all he could do before his knees buckled. She rushed to him and to everyone's surprise, was strong enough to hold him up. She lowered herself to the floor slowly, holding him gently around the shoulders. The bullet had blown right through him and he's lost a lot of blood. Lilli laid a hand over the wound and closed her eyes. Deep blue tears like liquid sapphire ran down her cheeks. Tifa was beside herself holding onto Cloud. Vincent kneeled down to better see what was happening.

“I do not… believe my eyes.”

“What's she doing?” Yuffie asked quietly. Valentine raised a hand. “Be still and you will see.” Lilli laid Cids head in her lap and began sobbing. Through her tears she spoke the best she could.

“Be Healed.”

An aura surrounded her hand as the wound beneath it began to mend. After a moment the light faded and she wrapped her arms around him again holding him close.

Vincent stood up quickly and took a step back. “Planet!” was all he could say.

As Lillie cried, the light around her faded and soon the girl they all knew sat before them.

Her friends surrounded her and she lifted a tear streaked face. “I am so sorry… I'm sorry.”

Tifa wiped her own eyes and then kneeled to rub her friends back. “Sweety, none of this was your fault… none of it.”

Cloud, eyes on Cid, nudged Barret. “Come on, help me get him upstairs.”

 

 

Cloud and Barret carried Cid upstairs to Lillis bed as Tifa made Tea in the kitchen. Reeve and Yuffie conversed quietly in the dining room while Vincent, mulling over what had just happened, stared out the living room window.

Lilli stood in the doorway of her bedroom as Cloud and Barret laid Cid on his back.

Barret handed Lilli the pilots goggles and smiled. “His colors comin back Lil… I think he'll be jus fine.”

Lilli didn't say a world. She just walked right past Barret, the goggles in her hand falling to the floor, she laid down on the bed next to Cid. She laid an arm across his chest and nuzzled her face into his neck, she sobbed. Cloud sighed and tossed his head in the direction of the door. “Come on… let's leave them… been through too much today… they need each other right now.”

Barret nodded. Closing the door behind them, the two men exited the bedroom.

 

Reeve shook his head, setting down his teacup. “I still don't believe it! She became magic! Like a ground for all forces of the Elements! Unbelievable!”

Tifa nodded. “For a moment she seemed almost more powerful then Vincent in Chaos form.”

“In a way… she is.”

Everyone turned their heads to look at Valentine. He still stood, arms crossed, his gaze still out the window. “It is incredible to even fathom… But I am limited to my magic uses in some ways….. we all are….it appears she isn't.”

“But, how is that possible?” Yuffie stood to take her cup to the kitchen. “Materia has to be in our weapons… or armor… how-“

“It is in her blood Yuffie.” Vincent turned to them. “The Mako injections were obviously based with Materia… that is what Lilli was for… we know now what the experiments done on her were all about…. They thought they had failed… therefore planned a disposal of her… but obviously all she needed was more time for the change in her to ready itself.”

“So when she was being transported, her change began.” Cloud spoke up. “That's why she doesn't remember escaping.”

Reeve nodded. “Yes. Now that Rufus knows about her… he will want one of two things.”

Which are?” Tifa raised an eyebrow.

“To either rid himself of all evidence that she even existed in Shinras history… or rid himself of HER… by killing her.. anyway he can.”

 

Cid woke up suddenly. His shoulder was sore but it didn't hurt like it did. He blinked a few times and then… the scent of Lilacs came to his nose. He looked down. Seeing Lilli fast asleep beside him, he immediately put his arms around her, pulling her closer. For the first time since he couldn't remember, tears welled up in his eyes as he slowly rolled over on to his side facing her. He held her as close to him as he could, burying his face in her hair. He lifted his leg and laid it over hers until he was nestled into her like a second skin. He wept. She stirred and muttered something under her breath that he couldn't understand, but he didn't care. She was here… and that's all that mattered.

 

Yuffie, exhausted, crashed on Tifas couch leaving Reeve to discuss things with Tifa, Cloud and Vincent. Marlene's babysitter called Barret so he found himself headed for the door. “Lemmie know the word Spikey! I see you round!” were the words he called over his shoulder as he left.

Reeve rubbed his beard. “I am not sure what Rufus's feelings are now… I will need to contact him. Reno and Rude have undoubtedly spoken highly of everyone… they always do… especially Reno. He knows that if Shinra hears that we were cooperative then he will be less inclined to strike out at all of you.”

“And… that's good WHY??”

Tifa was still angry with Reeve for letting Rufus push him around… although deep down she understood that the whole thing was out of his hands… he couldn't have prevented this if he'd tried. She crossed her arms and leaned back in her chair. “So what your saying is that Rufus won't be after us… just Lilli… and that's OK??”

Reeve shook his head. “No… Lilli is in a whole different game now… I must speak with Shinra again… I know that in the next few days his action will be hindered.”

Cloud nodded. “I'm sure he'll call you.”
Reeve stood up. “Oh of course he will… but he will not harm Lilli… I will make sure of that.” He smiled and took in a deep breath. “Well I am going home… I will call you if anything develops.”

Vincent nodded to Reeve as he passed and then the gunman proceeded into the dining room and sat in the now vacant chair.

Tifa leaned forward on her elbows and rubbed her face. “Is Cid ok?”

Cloud smiled. “Yeah… Lilli's with him…. It scares me.”

Tifa was confused. “What does?”

“His love for her.” Vincent spoke up. “He would kill for her… he has proven that today.” His eyes glimmered. “I alone am amazed at the events between them… he and Lilli… Cid… as long as I have know him-“

“Has always been an ass?” Tifa chuckled, her tone in a joking manner. Vincent laughed quietly, something he didn't do quite often and closed his eyes. “Yes… Keeping her safe… his feelings suddenly on his sleeve.”

“I know what you mean. “ Cloud nodded. “And her… she… she is an angel.”

Tifa smiled. “I love that Lilli girl. I'm glad now that that she has Cid… I really am.”

 

 

Lilli sat with Cid in her bedroom window, smoking a cigarette, her head on his shoulder. He lazily blew a few smoke rings towards the night sky and smiled. Lilli didn't know he'd cried. She didn't wake up until quite a while afterward. He didn't remember the last time he'd done that. But when he opened his eyes and saw she was there… with him, he couldn't hold it in. She could have been taken… taken away from him forever and he wouldn't tell anyone, but that scared him. It scared him so much he couldn't breath.

“I'm feelin real lucky right bout now baby girl.”

“Oh?” Lilli chuckled. “Why's that?”

He turned his head and kissed the top of her hair. “That's why.” He smiled wider. “Got someone ta do that to now.”

She squeezed his arm in reply and a contented silence fell over them. After a moment, Lilli closed her eyes, said a silent prayer he wouldn't freak out and took in a deep breath:

“I love you Cid.”

He halted in the middle of taking a drag to look down at her. He was taken off guard. Loved him??

A warm feeling of something the pilot couldn't describe came over him. A pleased grin crept to his lips. Smoke lazily rolled out of his mouth as he drawled. “Well, now thank ya darlin… I luv ya too.”

He felt that now was the time to tell her. Cid adjusted himself on the window sill and swallowed hard. And he told her… told her about Shera… from beginning to end… everything. How he married her after Sephiroths defeat… how he changed for her…. Everything. It was hard, and the secret Cid kept… ya know, about him crying? Well it wasn't a secret now. He couldn't keep from breaking down a few times… Lilli could tell it was the guilt. Because every time he cried, it was when he spoke of how he had treated her.

“1 year and I couldn't do it anymore… I couldn't be someone I wasn't… I smoke… that's just me….always have and probably be put in my grave with a cigarette in my mouth… but the drinkin… that started when we were fightin.”

He proceeded to talk about how after she left how he'd go to 7th Heaven… just to drown himself in a bottle of whiskey… gin… whatever Teef had, he chugged it. With anyone who'd drink with him… even Rude from time to time. “We called it quits the year the whole mess with Kadaj started.” He sniffed, eyes red and swollen, he just stared ahead, the tears running down his cheeks. He shook his head, remembering Kadaj. “I was drunker then a skunk drivin the Shera… or I'd never done what I did.”

Lilli tried her best to smile as she spoke, but could only feel distraught. “What did you do?” She asked somberly.

“Came right outta the airship on top a Teef and Denzal… ta fight 4 enemies at once.” He raised his eyebrows and chuckled, wiping his eyes with a hand. “Yeah… I wouldnta never thought a doin THAT sober… and these.”

He held up his pack of smokes. “Started them up a little after Kadaj…Shit.”

He leaned his head back, his ears stinging with the silence now present. He looked over at Lilli. She just sat there, her legs hanging limply over the window sill, staring at her hands.

His heart dropped. She ain't never gonna talk to me again now… shoulda known I was crazy… thinking she could still love me… Hell, if Shera couldn't understand me then… why would she either?

He took in a deep breath, trying hard not to break down again. “I just thought ya should know… so's you could judge me for yerself… as I am.” He nervously tapped out a smoke and lit it, his hands shaking. He shook his head and rubbed a hand on the leg of his pants. “I want ya to know my past… so's if you're up for it… you could help me with my future.”

Lilli looked up at him, her green eyes so wondering… she began to smile a bit, which gave him a surge of hope.

“Yer like a rock for me to stand on…I got… so much shit in my life… I'm gonna need an arm to lean on now and again ya know? And well…. What I'm sayin is that if yer up ta helping me piece together what little of me I got left…. Maybe I could be who I used to be with you here… be a better person.” He looked over at Lilli, his face pleading. He reached over and ran his fingers through her long black locks and sighed, closing his eyes. “I need ya Lil… every inch of me… what parts of me can still feel… need ya. Everything I've ever said to you was to you… not Shera… I just… want you to know.”

He nodded and then proceeded to finish his cigarette, his eyes on the horizon. There… he said it.

Lilli reached over and took his hand. He looked down at his fingers that she now entwined with her own. She studied them for a moment. They were cracked and dry in some places… with smudges of permanent oil stains here and there. She smiled.

“You have proven to me more in these weeks then 3 of your pasts could ever say.” She said all of this while leaning back over to lay her head on his burly shoulder. “I love you for who you are now… let it be at that.”

Cid closed his eyes, his heart swelling with relief which in return brought even more tears to his eyes. He pressed his grizzled cheek against the top of her head.

“Will do.” Was all he could get out… but to Lilli? It was just enough.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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