Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Guns and Roses ❯ Regrets ( Chapter 18 )

Disclaimer: FF VII and all the characters herein belong to Square Enix, except Liana (I made her ^_^). The songs are by Aly and AJ and Elliot Yamin.

 

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Vincent didn't have to think about his decision very long. He could see in Tifa's eyes that she really didn't know what to do about the whole situation. It was apparent to him, as she turned to face him from where she stood at the sink, that she wanted him to stay, but it was also apparent that she was scared. After a brief moment of thoughtful silence, he stood, walking over to her.

 

“I'll go,” he said quietly, holding her gaze as he placed his hands on her shoulders. He watched her hazel eyes widen slightly, a tear slipping down her cheek. It hurt him to see her cry, but he knew this would be for the best. He pulled her into a tight embrace. “This is for the best.”

 

Tifa sniffled as she cried softly. Her heart was breaking. She really liked Vincent, and it didn't seem fair that things would turn out this way.

 

“I'm sorry,” Vincent whispered, pressing his lips to her forehead. “I'm sorry that all this happened.” He pulled back, looking at her. “But, I don't think we should see each other any more.” He watched as her face crumpled and she looked away. “I don't know what else to do.”

 

Tifa pulled away from him, nodding. “It's better this way,” she whispered, turning her back to him. Vincent took that as his silent cue to go. He hesitated, though, thinking that there were so many things he wanted to say to her, but, oddly, he had no words. Sighing and running a hand through his silky hair, he gathered his things, before quietly leaving Tifa's house.

 

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The lab was quiet as Hojo looked around. He vaguely wondered where Sephiroth had slunk off to, when his thoughts were answered. He cringed as the lab door banged open and Sephiroth stormed in, looking as if he'd lost a fight with a bee hive. Hojo had to pinch himself several times to stop the laughter welling in his chest. He could tell, though, even from his distance, that Sephiroth's body was slowly healing itself.

 

“Damn him!” Sephiroth roared, throwing his Masamune to the floor in rage. “I'll kill that fucking bastard for this!”

 

Hojo watched him storm about, thinking that perhaps his encounter with Vincent didn't go so well. He would have thought it hilarious at Sephiroth's obvious failure, save for the fact that it meant his mood would be murderous, and as of late Hojo had been his favorite punching bag. He quivered a little as Sephiroth fixed him with a deadly glittering green gaze.

 

“Hojo, where is that G substance that you harvested?” he asked, rounding on the smaller man.

 

Hojo shivered, glancing around frantically. He turned and ran toward a panel, sliding it back, revealing a case of liquids. They burned with a faint luminescent glow, which lit the room with crimson light. “Right here,” he said, his voice quivering.

 

“Excellent,” Sephiroth purred, walking toward him. “Vincent will surely die by my hands.” He laughed softly, leaning toward the case. “But only after I destroy his little friend.”

 

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Tifa sat in front of a mirror, staring blindly into her reflection. She looked up as someone entered the dressing room.

 

“You ready?” Yuffie asked, smiling as she walked up behind Tifa. Tifa looked her over, liking her outfit. It was classic Yuffie: short shorts and a skimpy black tank top, with black knee boots.

 

Tifa sighed shortly, brushing some blush over her cheeks distractedly. “I suppose,” she whispered.

 

“Oh, come on, Tifa,” Yuffie said. She sat on the bench beside her friend, leaning her head on her shoulder. “It's been weeks since you and Vince broke up. You gotta get over him.”

Tifa gave a little smile. “I can't,” she whispered. “I really loved him, Yu.” Her hazel eyes were distant. “More than I ever loved Cloud.” She shook her head as she looked down at her hands, which were folded in her lap. “And we left things in such a mess. I just…..” She blinked back rogue tears, knowing it wouldn't do to cry just before their performance. “I just wish I could apologize.”

 

Yuffie rubbed Tifa's shoulder. “Well, maybe tonight after the show you should give him a call.”

 

Tifa nodded. “Maybe,” she said, lost in thought. Both she and Yuffie looked up when a stage hand appeared at the open door.

 

“You're on in two,” he said, clearly a little put out. “You two better get your asses on the stage.”

 

Tifa and Yuffie shared a glance, before they both hurried to the stage, where the rest of the gang awaited. When they arrived, Tifa took in the band. They were all dressed in similar black leather, but apparently, hers and Cloud's were the most elegant of all the outfits. She noticed that his was accented with a silver wolf head on his left shoulder, and the ear ring in his ear matched. She turned to look at Cid and Barrett, liking the effect of the simple black pants and boots and matching muscle shirts. It made her think of her own outfit, which was a black lacy bodice, which she wore a leather jacket over, as she felt it left too much of her uncovered, although she knew the boys would beg to differ, and a pair of skin tight leather pants with black strappy high heels. She felt the band's gaze on her.

 

“You guys ready?” she whispered, holding their gazes. With their resounding agreement and nods, she picked up her guitar, slinging it over her shoulder. She turned to look at Cloud as she stepped up to the mic. “Cloud?”

 

He turned to look at her, giving her a reassuring smile. They may have been broken up, but over the past few weeks, they had come to terms with everything, and their friendship had blossomed again.

 

“Hey, good luck guys!” Aerith called from backstage. Her voice was drowned out by the sound of the club DJ as he came over the speakers.

 

“Good evening, ladies and party animals!” he yelled, earning a roar from the crowd. “Tonight we have a special surprise for all you guys. These guys have been working hard to earn this spot for the past few weeks, and with pride, I introduce to all you here in the club, and those listening on the radio to this special live broadcast, Seventh Heaven!”

 

Tifa blinked as the curtain slowly began to rise. For one heart stopping moment, when she saw the enormous crowd, her mind blanked, until Yuffie suddenly came in on the key board. She swallowed, her throat feeling dry, before she came in.

 

La da da la la la
La da da la la la
La da da la la la la la
It took too long
It took too long
It took too long for you to call back
And normally I would just forget that
Except for the fact it was my birthday
My stupid birthday

I played along
I played along
I played along
Rolled right off my back
But obviously my armor was cracked
What kind of a boyfriend would forget that?
Who would forget that?

The type of guy who doesn't see
What he has until she leaves
Don't let me go
Cause without me you know you're lost
Wise up now or pay the cost
Soon you will know

 

Tifa couldn't suppress a smile as she listened to Cloud on his guitar, feeling a thrill of excitement rush through her. It didn't matter how many times she got up on the stage, the initial fright always excited her.

You're not living
'Til you're living, living with me
You're not winning
'Til you're winning, winning me
You're not getting
'Til you're getting, getting to me
You're not living 'til you're living, living for me

This is the potential breakup song
Our album needs just one
Oh baby please
Please tell me

Tifa glanced at Cloud, before strumming on her guitar. She was having a good time, doing what she loved, and, at least for now, Vincent was the farthest thing from her mind.

We got along
We got along
We got along until you did that
Now all I want is just my stuff back
Do you get that?
Let me repeat that
I want my stuff back

You can send it in a box
I don't care
Just drop it off
I won't be home
Cause without me you know you're lost
Minus you, I'm better off
Soon you will know

You're not living
'Til you're living, living with me
You're not winning
'Til you're winning, winning me
You're not getting
'Til you're getting, getting to me
You're not living 'til you're living, living for me

Tifa laughed when Cloud's solo came up. She loved this song. It was so fun and a great ice breaker, and she thought that Cloud did a killer job when he played it. Sometimes she thought it was better than the ballad he wrote, but she only thought that until she listened to him sing it.

You can try
You can try
You know I'd know it'd be a lie
Without me you're gonna die
So you betta think clearly, clearly
Before you nearly, nearly messed up the situation
That you're gonna miss dearly, dearly
Come on!

You're not living
'Til you're living, living with me
You're not winning
'Til you're winning, winning me
You're not getting
'Til you're getting, getting to me
You're not living 'til you're living, living for me

This is the potential breakup song
Our album needs just one
Oh baby please
Please, tell me

This is the potential makeup song
Please just admit you're wrong
Which will it be
Which will it be

La da da la la la
La da da la la la
La da da la la la la la

 

Tifa's smile grew as she listened to her voice fade, and the sound of the crowd as they roared their enjoyment. After taking a much needed breath, she stepped to the mic, smiling as the crowd quieted.

 

“Thank you,” she said, looking around at all the faces. “Did y'all like that?” A deafening roar was her answer, causing her to laugh as she glanced at her band mates. “Awesome! Well, we've got one more for ya, and we're gonna slow it down a bit, so grab that special some one and get on the floor.” She listened to them cheer more as she and Cloud traded places. As they passed each other, Tifa gave him a smile and a whispered, “Good luck.”

 

Cloud nodded, stepping to the mic, closing his eyes as the light dimmed and listening as soft music suddenly began.

 

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Vincent sat on his in his living room, staring into the fireplace. He glanced for a moment at the radio, feeling slightly anxious as the radio DJ, live at some club, announced Tifa's band. He held his breath as he listened to her sing. He had missed her so much, and he had wanted so badly to be there, to see her sing in person, as he hadn't had that chance before, but he had been feeling worse and worse lately. He didn't know if it was stress or the heartbreak he was feeling, or a combination, but he knew that he was tired, and he had no strength lately, and the ache in his chest never went away.

 

He sank further into the couch as he listened to her address the crowd, then once again held his breath when they began the next song.

 

I never felt nothing in the world like this before
Now I'm missing you and I'm wishing you would come back through my door
Why did you have to go?
You could have let me know; so now I'm all alone

 

Vincent felt the ache in his chest tighten. He felt as if Cloud was singing the things he couldn't say.

 

Girl you could have stayed but you wouldn't give me a chance
With you not around it's a little bit more than I can stand
And all my tears they keep runnin' down my face
Why did you turn away?

So why does your pride make you run and hide
Are you that afraid of me?
But I know it's a lie what you keep inside
This is not how you want it to be

So baby I will wait for you
Cause I don't know what else I can do
Don't tell me I ran out of time
If it takes the rest of my life

 

Vincent tried not to let the song affect him, but it was hitting a spot too deep inside. He closed his eyes, feeling all the emotions he had shut up for so long overwhelming him, leaking out in the form of silver tears. He brushed quickly at them, surprised. He hadn't thought he would cry over Tifa, but he couldn't deny what his heart was screaming. He was in love with her.

 

Baby I will wait for you
If you think I find it just ain't true
I really need you in my life
No matter what I have to do
I'll wait for you

Been a long time since you called me
(How could you forget about me)
You gotta be feeling crazy
How can you walk away
(When) Everything stays the same
I just can't do it baby

What will it take to make you come back
Girl I told you what it is and it just ain't like that
Why can't you look at me?
You're still in love with me
Don't leave me crying

 

He hadn't been in love with any one in so long, he'd almost forgotten what it was like, and it was a nice feeling when he found it. But, he had forgotten about how it felt when he lost that love too. And it wasn't even his fault that Tifa was gone.

 

Baby why can't we just start all over again
Get it back to the way it was
If you give me a chance I can love you right
But you're telling me it won't be enough

So baby I will wait for you
Cause I don't know what else I can do
Don't tell me I ran out of time
If it takes the rest of my life

Baby I will wait for you
If you think I find it just ain't true
I really need you in my life
No matter what I have to do
I'll wait for you

So why does your pride make you run and hide
Are you that afraid of me?
But I know it's a lie what you're keeping inside
That is not how you want it to be

Baby I will wait for you
Baby I will wait for you
If it's the last thing I do

He could feel anger beginning to bubble inside him. He had lost Tifa because of Sephiroth. Because of his old life, catching up to him finally. He supposed things were better this way, as Tifa was out of harm's way, but something kept nagging at him about the unfairness of it all. He tried to convince himself that it was only fair, as he'd had his chance at life and love, and he blew with Lucrecia, but it still didn't pacify that ache in his chest.

 

Baby I will wait for you
Cause I don't know what else I can do
Don't tell me I ran out of time
If it takes the rest of my life

Baby I will wait for you
If you think I find it just ain't true
I really need you in my life
No matter what I have to do
I'll wait for you
I'll be waiting …

 

He turned off the radio as the song ended, getting to his feet. He grimaced at the way his body protested the movement, but he clenched his teeth, knowing what he had to do. He choked down the pain and made his way to the door. Once he reached it, he opened it and walked into the garage, climbing into his car. He started the engine and was just about to leave when his cell rang. He pulled it from his pocket, and he thought for a moment that his heart had stopped.

 

“Tifa?” he breathed, staring in disbelief at the phone. He slowly answered it, hoping he wasn't going mad. “Hello?”

 

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Tifa felt her heart leap painfully as his voice came over the receiver. “Hey, Vincent,” she said, able to hear the way her voice was trembling. Her hands were quivering as well. She took a deep breath, trying to calm the way her heart was pounding in her chest. “What's up?”

 

His voice was soft and quiet as he tried to form a coherent answer. “Uh, well, I…” he trailed off, disbelief in his voice. “Tifa?”

 

“Yeah,” she said softly, the sound of his voice tugging at her heart and making her feel lightheaded with sudden emotion. “It's me.”

 

“Why?” he breathed.

 

“I—I miss you,” she said quietly, feeling stupid as soon as the words left her mouth.

 

“You….You do?” The breathless, surprised way he said that make her feel faint again. She could have sworn she heard the smile on his face. “I missed you too.”

 

Tifa smiled. She didn't understand why, but the ache in her chest was suddenly gone, replaced by the simple longing to see him again. She knew that it probably wouldn't be a good idea to see him tonight, as she was about to go out with the others, but just hearing his voice, and listening to him tell her he missed her as well was enough.