Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Du, Du hast, Du Hasst Mich ❯ Eleven ( Chapter 11 )

"Ah, shut up about yer damn vending machines already!" Cid yelled, passing a repairman in the hall. "SAME TO YOU! Yer fixing the fucking thing wrong anyw-" Cid skidded to a stop as he turned down the hall toward Vincent's room. "Holy fuck," he managed after a minute, his unlit cigarette falling out of his mouth.

Across the hallway, Cloud stood holding an IV rack, a mix between happy concern and utter bafflement on his face. The IVs were connected to none other than Vincent Valentine, who seemed to be concentrating very hard on some sort of walk that consisted of taking two steps and then falling backwards into Tifa's arms.

"And I thought leaving you with these guys would be a disaster," Cid said, making his way to them and taking Vincent from Tifa. "Here, let someone more your height help."

"I swear, Vincent, you weigh less than I do," Tifa said, smiling.

"How much is that?" Cloud asked, slowly following Vincent with the rack. "Ow! Tifa, I meant him."

"This isn't some sort of escape plan, is it?" Cid joked.

"I got Tifa to talk to the doctors. They took me off those damned machines."

"About fucking time. Fuck, Vince, it's great to see you smiling again."

"They took the catheter out too."

"Okay, change of subject!" Cid yelled, Cloud and Tifa laughing at him.

"I take it you're Mr. Valentine," a soft voice said behind them. Everyone turned to see a short black woman dressed in jeans and a loose dress shirt. No one recognized her.

"Hey, piss off, will ya?" Cid said, giving her the finger. "Just leave him alone for a minute."

"Cid, be nice, I can't visit you in jail when I'm like this," Vincent said, steadying himself on Cid's shoulder.

"I'm Dr. Hayes," she said, holding her hand out for a handshake.

Vincent fell against Cid, who handed him to Tifa again.

"Look, you," Cid yelled, pointing his finger at her. "He may be too damn terrified of you, but I got something to complain about how you're running this fucking place! It's like some sort of kennel."

"Sir, before you begin, I'm not his physician," she said calmly, not backing away.

"Then who the hell are you?"

"I'm going to be his psychiatrist. Sir-"

"Psychiatrist! He doesn't need a psychiatrist, he's fucking fine! You people better knock off the shit about him bein' some sort of loony right now or I'm going to pop you one right in the-"

"Sir, he's bitten four people and chewed on his IVs in an attempt to take them out."

Cid snarled.

"Cid…" Vincent said, attempting his footing again.

"Don't listen to a word this quack says, Vincent! I'm not going to let her take you anywhere, you hear me? Don't worry; I won't even let her fucking touch you. You don't need a damn psychiatrist-"

"You must be Cid Highwind."

"Who the fuck else would I be? And no jokes about my name, I like it."

Dr. Hayes smiled. "Mr. Valentine is very lucky to have someone so concerned over him, especially at a time like this. I just wanted to greet him now that he's up and walking and congratulate him on his progress. I also wanted to inform him that he has an appointment with me scheduled before he leaves." Dr. Hayes smiled at Vincent, then turned and left.

"Hey, I'm not done yelling at you yet!" Cid screamed after her.

"I want to go back to my room now," Vincent said quietly.

Tifa and Cloud silently lead Vincent back to his room.

Cid stood there for a moment and swore under his breath, then followed. "Fuck, I'm sorry," Cid said.

"I'm tired," Vincent said, not making eye contact with any of them.

No one said anything more as they made it to the room until Tifa had to help Vincent climb into bed.

"How's that knee of yours?" Cid asked, feeling useless again.

"Hurts like fuck," Vincent answered as Tifa put the blanket over him.

"You want me to get you anything, hate to think of you being stuck here all day with nothing to eat but this crap. Hell, I went to school and they served better stuff."

"I like it," Cloud said.

"I'd rather just have some clothes. At least some underwear," Vincent said.

Tifa punched Cloud for giggling slightly.

"At least he didn't offer me any," Vincent said, smiling as everyone laughed. "Some pants would be nice too, if the buckles wouldn't hurt so much over the incisions."

"I'll see what I can do. Shera ain't a shopping person, and usually I'd only buy someone else clothes at gunpoint."

"I-don't hit me Tifa-can do it," Cloud said. "I bought a dress with Aeris once."

"Weren't you the once wearing the dress?" Vincent asked sleepily. He groaned, trying to stay awake.

"Close enough," Cloud argued.

"I gotta get back to the guys. We just came to pick up some cargo and I thought I'd visit. You gonna be okay?"

"I just want to sleep now," Vincent mumbled, his eyelids drooping.

"I'm going to finish on your hair before we leave, is that okay?" Tifa asked as Vincent closed his eyes and lay down against the pillow. He managed to nod slightly.

Cid waved to them and left, telling them he needed to find someone to yell at when he got off work.

"Hey, Tifa," Cloud whispered. "What's a catheter?"

Vincent smiled slightly as he dozed.

"Ow."