Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Guns and Roses ❯ Takes One to Know One ( Chapter 5 )

Disclaimer: FF VII and all the characters herein belong to Square Enix, except Liana (I made her ^_^).

 

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Vincent jumped when his cell phone rang. He sat up, rubbing his eyes, realizing he had fallen asleep at his desk. He picked up the phone and flipped it open. He didn't recognize the number, so he let it go to his voice mail. He set it down as it continued to ring furiously. He looked at the clock as it subsided.

 

“Crap,” he sighed, rubbing his face again. It was almost eleven o'clock, and he should have been at work hours ago. He sighed, picking up his phone. He flipped it open, reading the screen. One new voicemail. He pushed the speed dial for his voicemail and listened as the automated voice droned on the other end.

 

He rolled his eyes, leaning back in his chair as it slowly got to the message. He was surprised to hear Tifa's voice.

 

“Um, hey Vincent, uh, this is Tifa,” she said softly. He heard soft tapping in the background, as if she were fidgeting nervously on the other end. “Uh, I know this is kinda, you know, sudden, or whatever, but…I….I was kinda wondering…if maybe you wanted to grab a bite to eat or something later.” Her voice suddenly became rushed, as if she were embarrassed. “I mean, I understand if you're busy and can't, but, uh, give me a call back and let me know, I guess.” She sighed, almost as if she were debating on saying something else. “I guess I'll talk to you later. Bye.” Then she hung up.

 

Vincent pulled the phone away from his ear, staring at it. Was she asking me out? he thought, suddenly smirking. He closed the phone and got to his feet. Perhaps going out wasn't such a bad idea after all, as it appeared he wasn't going into the office until later anyway. He left his study, grabbing his jacket as he passed the coat rack.

 

He walked into the foyer, climbing the spiral staircase to the second floor landing. He walked down the hall to his bedroom, opening the door. He tossed his jacket onto his bed, walking to his closet as he pulled the tie from around his neck. He dropped it on the floor, along with his shirt once he got it unbuttoned. He knew the maid would pick up after him.

 

He opened the closet door, reaching inside for a deep crimson shirt and steel grey pants and coat. He spun the tie rack around once, before snatching a silver tie off the rack. He tossed the jacket, shirt and tie onto his bed, then stepped into the large master bathroom. He turned on the shower, watching as the steam began to fog the mirror. He stood in front of it for a minute, running a brush through his unruly, raven hair. When he was satisfied, he stepped into the shower.

 

He let the hot water run over his head as he thought about Tifa's offer. He wondered why she wanted to meet up with him later. They hardly knew each other. But, he had told her he would listen if she wanted to talk. He didn't particularly like the idea of sitting around, listening to her complain about what an asshole her ex was, but when he had extended the offer to her, that thought hadn't crossed his mind.

 

His first thought was that she reminded him so much of Lucrecia. Even in her silence and her pain. Her mannerisms were the same. She was quiet and thoughtful, yet at the same time she was very outspoken, from what he could tell, and that made her quite different from Lucrecia.

 

He sighed and opened his eyes, watching the water drip off his eyelashes. It's only fair to give her chance, he thought.

 

But she's not Lucrecia.

 

Vincent scowled at his subconscious. Shut up. Besides, what do you know? She could be.

 

Don't kid yourself, his conscience mocked. You just want her to be. You just can't let it go. It's time to move on. She's dead, and she's not coming back.

 

As of now, I'm not listening to you, he told it, deciding to ignore that last comment. So what? He knew she was gone. And he had let her go a long time ago.

 

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Tifa sat silently on a park bench. She glanced around anxiously, hoping Vincent would call her back. She didn't know why, but she wanted desperately to get her mind of Cloud. She knew it wouldn't happen at band practice, and it wouldn't happen if she was with her friends. All that would serve to do is give her a headache. She didn't want to have to explain anything to them right now. The pain was too fresh.

 

She looked up as a shadow crossed her vision. Her eyes landed on a young man and his girlfriend as they walked down the gravel path. Their arms were around one another, and the girl gazed up at her boyfriend, love shining clearly in her eyes. Tifa looked away quickly as they passed.

 

She could remember looking at Cloud that way. And, now that she thought about it, she could never remember seeing Cloud look at her the same way. He always had what seemed like admiration in his eyes, but never love. Except when he looked at HER. His love for her had been so obvious, why hadn't she seen it?

 

She shook her head, feeling stupid. She felt tears sting her eyes again, and she blinked them away, biting her lip. She didn't want to cry anymore. She got to her feet, walking deeper into the park. She paused as she came upon the oak where she and Cloud would sit to write songs. It was a lovely spot, overlooking the lake, and perfectly shaded during the day.

 

She felt tears sting her eyes again. It didn't matter where she went or what she did, he was everywhere. It was always something, reminding her of their brief time together. She released a ragged sigh as she sat under the oak. This had been where they shared their first kiss. She drew her knees up to her chest, remembering the way he had looked at her. She could still feel her heart pounding in her chest as their lips slowly met. She felt a tear slide down her cheek, and she wiped it away. She stared at the sun's reflection on the water, jumping when her jacket pocket began vibrating.

 

She listened as `Headlong' by Queen blared from the tiny speaker on her phone. She pulled her little green PEBL out of her pocket, flipping it open. She felt her hurt evaporate as she answered.

 

“Hello?” her voice was still a little choked.

 

“Tifa?”

 

“Vincent,” she said, surprised. “Hey.” She smiled.

 

“Hey,” he said. “I got your message.”

 

Tifa held her breath, wondering what he would say.

 

“I'm kinda running late today,” he said slowly, sounding a little irked. “But I think I could do lunch. Is that good?”

 

She nodded, then realized he couldn't see her. “Yeah,” she said breathlessly. “Yeah, lunch is good.” She couldn't believe he had said yes.

 

“Awesome,” he said, clearly pleased. “Shall I come get you?”

 

She laughed at his attempt at chivalry. “No,” she said, “I'll just meet you where ever.”

 

“How's Dixie's?” he asked.

 

She nodded. “That's good,” she said. She glanced around, thinking. “I'm actually at the park right now, and Dixie's is a block over.”

 

He laughed softly. “So, meet there in ten?” he asked.

 

She smiled. “Sounds good,” she said, standing. “See ya then.”

 

“Yep,” he said, before saying goodbye.

 

When Tifa hung up, she held the phone to her chest for a moment. I can't believe he said yes, she thought, her heart leaping. She thought it was totally bizarre that he would get back to her so quickly. She had thought that he'd at least put her off for a while, seeing as the night before she had come off needy. And, thinking about her experience in that area, she couldn't stand needy people.

 

She turned, walking across the park toward Dixie's Diner.

 

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Vincent slowly picked up his jacket and tie as he slid his phone into his pocket. He had been surprised when she answered to hear her choked up. It sounded as if she'd been crying again. He sighed, mulling over the conversation. But it sounded as if his accepting her invitation had made her day. She was definitely in a better mood when he hung up with her.

 

He walked down the stairs and into the foyer. He picked up his briefcase, which he had left at the foot of the stairs, then walked through the laundry room and into the garage. He flipped the light on, automatically opening the door. He glanced between his black Cadillac XLR Roadster and his new Zephyr. He stared at the Cadillac momentarily, then smirked.

 

He was taking the Zephyr. It was a much sweeter ride than the Cadillac. He took the keys off the wall and unlocked it, throwing his briefcase, blazer and tie into the backseat. Then he slid inside, starting the car. He couldn't have been happier when Rob Zombie screamed through the speakers. He backed out of the garage, turning it up some as he opened the sunroof.

 

He smiled again. Today was definitely a good day.