Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Guns and Roses ❯ Meet the....Band ( Chapter 11 )

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

 

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Tifa glanced in the mirror as she ran a brush through her long brown hair. She couldn't help but smile as she thought about that night two days ago. It had been so….different. She had stayed up all night long, pretending to read; in reality she had been watching Vincent. He was such an enigma to her, and it fascinated her. She felt such a magnetic attraction to him, and at the same time she wanted to run and hide.

 

She checked her reflection once more, wanting to look absolutely perfect. Vincent was picking her up and taking her to band practice, so she wanted to look nice for him, and she had something new she was taking to let the band hear, so she wanted to look nice for that. She tugged at her white baby-tee before brushing a spec of lint from her faded blue jeans. Then she smiled to her reflection, before walking into the kitchen.

 

She picked up her messenger bag, pulling it over her shoulders, before picking up her guitar case. She walked toward the front door when she heard the sound of a car horn. When she stepped outside, she smiled when she saw Vincent waiting for her, leaning on the passenger side door.

 

“Good morning, Tifa,” he said, smiling.

 

She walked over to him, meeting his crimson gaze. “Hey Vince,” she said.

 

He opened the door for her. “You want to put your guitar in the back seat?” he asked.

 

She nodded. “Okay,” she said. She quickly put it back there, then slid into the front seat. She watched Vincent close the door and walk around to the driver's side. She watched him slide in next to her and start the car. She smiled when `Fall into Me' by Emerson Drive came on the radio.

 

“Are you going country today?” she asked, glancing at him.

 

He smirked, sliding her a glance. “I was thinking about it,” he said.

 

“So I take it you're in a better mood?” she asked, watching as they got on the freeway and headed toward the studio.

 

He nodded, glancing in the rear view mirror. “Yeah, I think so,” he said, focusing on the road. In fact, he had been in a much better mood since the night she stayed over. He didn't know why, but he felt calmer. He was still wondering what to do about Hojo, but he wasn't as upset as he had been. He had even been thinking, perhaps he should give Hojo a call. He glanced at a small building that came into view.

 

“Is this the place?” he asked, pulling up to the curb. He watched as two guys walked inside, one carrying a guitar case, the other twirling a drum stick around his fingers.

 

“Yeah,” Tifa said, opening her door. She tilted her head. “Why don't you come in and meet the band?”

 

Vincent looked at her, reserve in his eyes. The last thing he wanted was to meet her ex-boyfriend. He could only imagine how that would go. “I'm not so sure that' a—“ he started.

 

“Don't be silly,” Tifa said, cutting him off. She leaned across the cab, kissing his cheek. “They'll like you.” She smiled, seeing the shocked look on his face. She slid out of the car, getting her guitar out of the back. She felt the tingle of satisfaction as he turned the car off and stepped out. He just needed a little persuasion, that was all.

 

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Vincent sighed as he turned of the car and got out. Why did he let her get the better of him? He walked around to where she stood waiting for him. “Got everything?” he asked.

 

She nodded. “Yep,” she said, leading the way to the door. She stepped back, letting Vincent open the door for her. She smiled at the worried look on his face. “Stop worrying,” she said.

 

“I'm not so sure I'd call it worry,” he said, following her down a hallway. They paused outside the door to the studio. He looked at her. “More like fear for my life.”

 

Tifa giggled. “You trust me, don't you?” she asked, searching his gaze.

 

His eyes narrowed. “I suppose,” he said, suspicion in his voice.

 

She took his hand. “Then stop worrying,” she said. She pushed the door open, smiling as she stepped into the room. “Hey guys.”

 

Cid and Barrett looked up. “Hey, Tifa,” Cid said, smiling. He glanced past her, seeing Vincent. “Who's your new boy toy?”

 

Tifa shot him a look. “For your information, this is Vincent,” she said, looking at him and smiling. “Vincent Valentine.”

 

Barrett's head shot up. “The Vincent Valentine?” he asked, setting down his bass.

 

Vincent nodded.

 

“Oh my gosh,” Barrett said, looking between him and Tifa, “do you know who he is?” His eyes were focused on Tifa.

 

She tilted her head, setting down her guitar. “Well, as far as I know,” she said simply, “he owns a fire arms company.” She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, before looking at Barrett.

 

“No shit!” Barrett exclaimed. “He only owns the world's largest company, Cerberus Co.” He walked over to Vincent, extending his hand. “It's an honor to meet you.”

 

Vincent gave a little smile as he shook Barrett's hand. He slid Tifa a glance. “I'm glad to see that I have at least one fan,” he said.

 

Barrett laughed. “Oh, man,” he said, looking at Cid. “He's funny, too.”

 

Cid rolled his eyes. “Shut up, Barrett,” he said. “Give the man room to breath.” He looked at the door as Yuffie barged in, grumbling under her breath.

 

“Okay, who's the loser that owns the red Zephyr that's in my parking space?” she demanded, looking around the room.

 

Tifa and Vincent exchanged looks. “My bad,” Vincent said.

 

Yuffie turned on him, stilling as she realized she didn't recognize him. She looked at Tifa, then back at him. “Who's this?” she asked, looking him over.

 

Vincent resisted the urge to fidget under her gaze.

 

“Yuffie, this is Vincent,” Tifa said, smiling at the girl's antics.

 

“Vincent, huh?” she asked, her gaze scrutinizing. “So what are your intentions with Tifa?”

 

Vincent titled his head, staring at her.

 

“Ah, shut up, Yuffie!” Cid yelled at her.

 

She turned on him. “Don't tell me to shut up!” she yelled. She started toward him, pointing an accusing finger. “You're so sexist!”

 

“Morning everyone!” a cheery voice said, silencing their fight. Everyone turned to see Aerith walk in, Cloud trailing her.

 

“Hey Aerith!” the group simultaneously answered.

 

Vincent watched as her gaze turned to him, and she offered a warm smile. “Who's this?” she asked, walking over to him and Tifa.

 

Tifa sighed. “Okay, for the last time, this is Vincent,” she said. There was a hint of exasperation in her voice, and Vincent had a feeling it wasn't because she was introducing him once more.

 

He looked at Aerith as she held out her hand. “Hi,” she said, still smiling. “I'm Aerith, and this,” she pointed over her shoulder, “is Cloud.”

 

Vincent shook her hand and looked at Cloud, who just nodded before looking away. He glanced around the room, scratching his head, before turning back to Tifa. “As much as I'd love to stay,” he said, meeting her gaze, “I've got to get back to the office.”

 

Tifa nodded, smiling a little. “Okay,” she said. “See you in about a few hours?”

 

He nodded. He leaned in a placed a kiss on her cheek. “See you then,” he whispered to her. He looked around the room. “It was nice meeting you guys.” Everyone chimed in their agreement, except for Cloud. He glanced over his shoulder, then turned back to tuning his guitar.

 

Tifa watched Vincent leave, then picked up her guitar case.

 

“Oooh, someone's got a boyfriend,” Yuffie teased, skipping over to Tifa.

 

Tifa looked away, smiling and trying to hide a blush. “Oh, stop it,” she said weakly. She fell into thought as she took out her guitar and the new song she'd written. They hadn't actually agreed to be boyfriend/girlfriend, but it sure felt that way.