Wow, I’m already at part four. I figured I would have given up on this by now *nervous laughter* As usual this installment is probably going to be as slow as the previous three- It’s time to develop the relationship between Vincent and Lucretia (or lack there of) ahahaha … sucks to be Vincent. Keep reading after that boring bit though, it gets cooler- Vincent acts like an idiot ^.^ ghost_inthe_threads@hotmail.com

Vincent coughed.

The musty stink of the basement air was bothering him again. Unfiltered or circulated, it had probably hung there since this area was dug into the ground- probably longer. The dust and the stale feeling of his surroundings was not being kind to his lungs. Though he had light asthma he wondered how these scientists had been working down here for months without dropping dead from oxygen deprivation.

He sat on a small crate and watched Lucretia shuffled through an incomprehensible amount of files, folders and loose papers. He had offered to help, but she refused. It must be ‘top secret’, and besides, Vincent even wouldn’t be sure what he was looking for if she told him. He really hated anything that involved science and scientists lately. They were always so secretive and whenever anything had to be explained to him, he was convinced they did it in a way that confused him more than answered a question.

He had spent almost all his shifts watching over Lucretia and the other assistant, Adam. He rarely ever saw Professor Gast or Hojo. He supposed that was for the best anyway, he didn’t have anything against Gast, but there was something distinctly inhuman about the man’s partner Hojo. Vincent couldn’t put his finger on it, but whenever he was around the good doctor, it made his skin crawl. It boggled Vincent’s mind to wonder how Lucretia willingly worked with the man. He had asked her once why she did work with him. She had replied that there was no choice to it; that it was a privilege and honor to serve the two renowned scientists.

Vincent was happy with his job now, though…well, those were the wrong words. He hated his current job placement, but he loved working when he was on shift when Lucretia was working. Vincent had completely ignored Cal’s speech she had shot at him a week ago, he understood what she was trying to get across, but he didn’t like it and it wasn’t convenient to his feelings so he listened to more of what Knox had told him. It was more reasonable anyway. Cal had become disturbingly paranoid ever since the three of them had set foot in Nibelheim. It wasn’t Cal anymore. It was someone who looked like her who was always agitated and sleep deprived, and who watched what himself and Knox did so closely it was scary. He was really worried about her, though he would never admit it to her face. Maybe there was some truth to what she warned him about, but it couldn’t be as bad as it seemed. It couldn’t be. He would have to talk with her sometime, sometime soon.

Though he missed talking with Cal the way they used to, so many years ago. It seemed as if it were made up in a way with the way he talked with Lucretia now. They had become rather close in the short time he had been there. He would gladly call her a friend. Vincent had few friends…he wasn’t sure if it was because of the demanding line of work he was in, or because of the type of person he was, but he was sure that he only a hand-full of friends- enough to count on.

Vincent coughed again.

“How can you live down here?” He finally asked Lucretia as she pulled a large file from the box and sifted through it.

“What do you mean?” She asked, confused.

“Your surroundings, how can you stand it? There are no windows and the air down her is hardly breathable.”

“Oh.” She replied. “Well, I don’t really notice. I’m always so busy anyway. You can go outside for a bit if you wish. I’m sure I’ll be fine down here.”

“You know I can’t do that…say, why don’t you take a break and go outside?” He asked smiling, rising from the crate he sat on.

Lucretia waved her hands in disapproval.

“Oh, I can’t do that. Hojo would be so upset if he found out. I have to finish this experiment up before Hojo comes down to see how out progress is going.”

“Lucretia, you haven’t seen the light of day in almost a week and who knows when you’ve been outside last. Now come on, let’s go.” He said moving towards her.

“I already told you, I can’t,” She said opening up a new file. “Maybe tomorrow, when I’ve finished what I’m working on.”

“Oh Adam can handle it. This isn’t healthy to stay inside like this, now come on; I promise you you’ll enjoy it. And if you get in trouble with Hojo, just blame it on me.”

Lucretia shook her head slowly. “I don’t know…”

“I…well…alright.” She finally agreed. “I’ll just give these files to Adam and tell him I’m taking a 10 minute break- but that’s all.” She said pointing at him as she gathered her things and left the room, calling to Adam as she did.

Vincent smiled.

“That was surprisingly easy.” He thought aloud. He picked up his jacket off the crate, straightened his shirt and pulled the coat on. He didn’t bother to fix his tie. He left the room as well, closing the door behind him. The mess in the storage room had grown significantly since he had last been in there…yesterday. He walked into the downstairs office to find Lucretia and Adam arguing. He caught Adam’s eye the second he walked through the door, and his argument paused, and then fell to a harsh whisper. Lucretia looked over her shoulder hesitantly, and smiled slowly at the sight of Vincent. She turned back to Adam, and continued the slightly animated ‘discussion’ before handing him her folder, and then turning around, to meet with Vincent. She grabbed his arm and pulled him out of the room and into the corridor before he could protest.

“Sorry,” she said. “Adam and I are having a ‘disagreement’ about work…it’s really nothing, he just needs a little time to himself…”

“Oh…” Vincent said. “Look, if this is really going to get you into a lot of trouble, we don’t have to go.” He said, stopping. Lucretia turned around and gave him a flat look, putting her hands on her hips.

“No, don’t worry about it. Now come on, we have to go before Hojo gets back.” She said pulling his arm again- mock dragging him towards the stairs.

Somehow Vincent knew the discussion had nothing to do with work.

The stairs we’re still just as dark as they always were, and he and Lucretia climbed up them carefully to get to the top floor.

“You know Lucretia,” He began, running a hand through his hair “It almost seems as though you want to go outside more than I do now…before it was just work, work, work.” He teased.

She walked silent for a moment. “I guess I just realized how much I’ve missed the light of day.”

The two continued up the stairs in silence.

****

The small town of Nibelheim was just a simple dot compared to the menacing loom of the black mountains beyond it.

Vincent hadn’t realized how far he and Lucretia had strayed until the two had stopped by a small stream, and he had turned around to look at the world behind himself.

Lucretia leaned against a large oak tree- the shade sheltering her from the intense sun. There was a blue sky today. She was picking at an odd looking weed in her hands, staring absently at the stream running before her.

Vincent knelt down next to the water and let his left hand run through the cold, flowing water that fed the town. Insects danced above the waters’ surface, rising and falling like a light breeze. He stood back up and shook his hand off, and walked over to where Lucretia stood.

She held up the pale green weed she held to eye level. “This type of plant had never grown here before.” She said. “The mako has been doing this to the wilderness. If Shin-Ra keeps grabbing at it as greedily as they are, pretty soon nothing natural will exist. Only horrible mutations created in its image.”

Vincent gulped.

“I thought you supported Shin-Ra?” He asked, leaning against the tree, next to her.

“I do.” She replied, tossing the flora into the river. “I just don’t like the way they move in and grab as much as they can, as fast as they can, as careless as they can. Professor Gast is like this as well, only his opinion counts for more than mine.”

She stood in silence a moment, as if pondering something she had said, then looked up and smiled sweetly at him. She hadn’t said anything to imply, but he could tell that something was bothering her greatly. He knew it wasn’t the plant life. Vincent didn’t think it was himself either, because, after all, she had gone outside with him. It was probably work, but he wasn’t sure.

Then a thought struck him.

He felt sure.

He had never actually considered asking her to dinner, it was a distant dream like so many other things. But now, it all of a sudden became a reality to him. Vincent moved away from the tree, and back towards the stream, his back facing her. He didn’t know if he could look at her while he asked. He breathed in deeply, as a strange fear gripped him, and started off clumsily.

“Lucretia…” he began, but trailed, trying to stabilize his nerves. “I was wondering, when you have some free time that is, if you’d like to …uh…” Vincent paused again. This was really embarrassing; he didn’t want to see the look on Lucretia’s face, although she probably knew what was coming.

“I was wondering if you’d like to have dinner with me…maybe we could take another walk down here after... or something.” He added weakly.

This had turned into a nice little mess.

He waited a moment for a response, and didn’t get one. Vincent half expected her to have at least shot him down by now. Vincent turned around to face her. She had tears welling up in her eye.

Tears of happiness, or sadness?

“Oh Vincent…” She said in a shaky voice and began to walk back towards the town.

“Lucretia.” He called. He didn’t think he had implied that much in what had said. “Lucretia… I’m sorry. It’s nothing, really. There’s no need to get upset about it.”

She continued to walk away, still unresponsive.

He ran up to her and grabbed her arm, stopping her.

“Talk to me.” He said. “What’s wrong. I said I was sorry…it’s not that bad.”

He dared a glance into her swollen eyes, but looked away promptly. He couldn’t bear to see her pained expression.

“Nothing is wrong, that’s the problem.” She replied, shaking his grip of her. She continued her brisk walk back towards Nibelheim.

Vincent didn’t bother to chase after her, he wouldn’t do that to her, to himself.

He walked back over to the old oak tree; backing up and sliding down against the rough trunk. He would sit there for a while. He would just enjoy the peaceful scenery for a little bit before he would return to town and catch hell from Cal for leaving his post, and for hitting on Lucretia when he wasn’t supposed to.

It was all Knox’s fault. If he hadn’t said what he had said to him that evening, Vincent wouldn’t be in the situation.

He would probably just be in a worse one. Had no reason to blame Konx. Vincent didn’t have to look far for blame; he only had to blame himself.

****

Dust swirled in the entryway to Nibelheim as Vincent plodded his way into town. He wasn’t sure how long he had spent outside, but any minute, was a minute too long. He had decided to just leave Lucretia be for the rest of the day and let her cool down. He’d find her tomorrow first thing and apologize repeatedly, that is, if she would hear him out. As he passed the plain gateway a small crowd caught his eye. As he walked towards it, he could see Cal and Professor Gast deep in discussion, Konx off to one side, keeping to the large shadow cast by a building and Lucretia…in an embrace with Hojo.

Vincent stopped.

The two still held each other and Lucretia talked very excitedly to the object of her affection. Hojo put his hand to her lips silencing her inane chatter, then bent down and kissed her.

Vincent’s blood ran cold.

He had found his answer as to why she had acted so upset out in the field. But why hadn’t she said anything to him before? Vincent was sure his advances were clear enough. Or maybe she had been trying to spell it out for him, but he had been too preoccupied to pay attention.

Vincent took a deep breath.

As long as she was happy, even if it wasn’t with him, Vincent would be okay … well, maybe.

****

Vincent cradled the back of his head with his hands as he leaned back in an old chair in the second floor room of the hotel. He banged the back of the chair impatiently against the wall waiting for Cal to get off shift.

Knox had said she wanted to talk to him.

Vincent didn’t like the sound of that.

He heard the door open; slam and feet shuffle across the hardwood floor of the room.

“Hey Cal…” He muttered without bothering to verify the intruder.

She didn’t respond so Vincent turned his head to see if there was any immediate reason for her lack of acknowledgement.

He saw nothing.

“I said hey Cal.” He asked again. Then added, “Are you okay?”

“You know Vincent, I try to be a good Turk. I try to look out for you guys; I try to make this crappy job a little more enjoyable. I only ask one thing of you, and you completely disregard what I asked. I don’t even think you made an effort to try.”

Vincent really didn’t feel like getting into this argument again, especially now.

“What do you mean?” He asked, pretending he didn’t know what she was talking about.

“Don’t hand me that crap Vincent, you know I’m talking about Lucretia.”

Vincent breathed in deeply.

“What is there to discuss? I asked her to dinner; she wasn’t interested; end of story.”

“Vincent, you could have seriously jeopardized the project like that.”

“How Cal? How could I have ruined the JENOVA Project by asking one of the scientists to dinner? What? She would become so distraught that she would cause all the other members to become nervous and when mixing some chemical the would do it the wrong way that would cause a deadly chain reaction and the whole freaking town would blow into a million pieces! Is that what you think?”

“Don’t get smart with me Vincent. We’re here on privilege, if Heidegger thinks for whatever reason that we’re not fit to serve- we’re gone, and I don’t just mean from this assignment.”

Vincent breathed in slowly.

“Look Cal, I don’t think Lucretia was that bothered by what I said-“

“That’s strange, I heard different.” Cal snapped. Vincent continued, ignoring her comment.

“As I was saying before, I don’t think she was bothered by what I said that much. She already has a boyfriend- I understand now, so I’ll back off. Besides, she’s getting the better end of the deal- she’s not the one whose going to feel strange every time were in a room together.”

“Really? Because I would think so?”

“What the hell do you want me to say Cal? That I was fool for going against your orders and for ever thinking that someone like Lucretia would be stupid enough to go out with me? Well you know what, it’s my life, I can do whatever the hell I want with it.”

“Vincent, you know that’s not what I meant. Normally, I’d be behind you, but Heidegger-“

“It’s always Heidegger with you isn’t it. You know, I honestly think you’re the only one who actually thinks were hanging by a thread. You’ve gotten too god damn paranoid Cal, and I’m worried, your not like you used to be.”

“Vincent-“

“I don’t want to hear it Cal. Especially now of all times. Just let me be for a while. Or do you have to supervise that too?”

No waiting for a response, not that he expected one, Vincent rose from his chair, snapped up his coat from his bed and stormed out of the room, leaving Calyena alone.

She was always alone it seemed. Even when she was around someone... always alone.

If only Vincent really understood why they were here, maybe then he’d be more respectful to what she was saying. Maybe then he’d listen.

But even if she did tell him they were all there just to keep an eye on Professor Hojo, he would still be after Lucretia. He would never care that she was Hojo’s now.

She just prayed he wouldn’t screw things up with the man. It almost frightened Cal to think how easily it could all end, but everything always ended the same way, never any different.

Cal couldn’t take the pressure anymore. Shin-Ra breathing down her back constantly, Heidegger’s tests to see how far they would go for him or Hojo’s suspicion of why they Turks were really in Nibelheim, and how much he could play them.

Finally Calyena just couldn’t take it anymore. The tears began rolling down her cheeks. She wasn’t just crying for what she had done to Vincent, or what Shin-Ra was asking of her, she was also crying for what she had reduced herself to.

She stood there alone, crying.

She was always alone.

****

Vincent sat across from the bartender in the very small bar of Nibelheim. He stared down into his half-empty mug of ale and sighed.

He was still pissed at Cal, he wasn’t sure why, but at least now he had managed to cool down a bit, or he had drank a bit too much- he had lost count after about five… and that wasn’t including shots. He sighed again. Although he was upset at her attempt to control his life, he still shouldn’t have blown up at her like that. He was just frustrated.

He seemed so frustrated lately. Frustrated over Cal’s change of behavior, frustrated over the JENOVA Project and how everything was so “hush-hush”, frustrated over his feelings for Lucretia, and how he could never act on them now.

Hojo was a very lucky man.

Vincent swore.

The bartender looked up at him.

“You want another?”

Vincent nodded.

The bartended pulled his glass away, refilled it and placed it back under Vincent’s sad face all with one fluid motion it seemed.

Vincent took a large sip from the mug and savored the strange flavors that flowed through his mouth. He swallowed slowly as he saw Hojo walk up to the bar next to him. Vincent hadn’t even heard him enter. Hojo ordered something dark brown in a glass with ice, and turned towards Vincent.

Vincent ignored him completely.

”Mr. Valentine.” Hojo said.

Vincent took another sip.

“Mr. Valentine.” He said again, already starting to sound annoyed. Vincent would have played mind games with the man for another five minutes, but then that would give Cal another reason to yell at him.

“It’s Vincent if you don’t mind.” He responded with nonchalance.

“I trust this evening is finding you well Vincent.” Hojo said, making fake conversation.

“What do you want Hojo. The only time you ever talk to me is if I’ve somehow managed to do something wrong or if you want something. So what is it, I’m tanked and am in no mood for games right now.”

Hojo was silent for a moment, probably out of shock at Vincent’s bluntness.

“Actually, it’s both.” He replied, un-intimidated.

“Well?”

“Lucretia is a young, bright and extremely beautiful woman. I would appreciate it if you would stop distracting her from her work. She has the makings of a great scientist Mr. Valentine, and I would hate to see the likes of you spoil her from it.”

“That’s all? I thought you were going to get on my case for hitting on your girlfriend.”

“Well, there is that matter to.”

“Look Hojo, I’d love to go duke it out down by the river, but I’m not sure how straight I can stand up. How about another day I kick you ass?” Vincent snarled in between gulps of his ale. He didn’t even know why he was acting so childish towards the scientist, and it had nothing to do with what he was drinking.

He was just frustrated and had to lash out at somebody, anybody.

“Mr. Valentine, I came her to try and have an “adult” conversation and I see that you are also incapable of that, so I’ll just cut to the chase. Lucretia has no interest in you so I suggest you cease your annoyance of her at once. If you continue, I cannot promise how kind Shin-Ra will be on you at the revelation of your behavior.”

Vincent swallowed.

“Hojo, I’m not stupid. You don’t hold that much power over me.”

“Oh do I?”

Vincent glared down into his empty mug once again.

“It was a pleasure speaking with you Mr. Valentine, and I hope in the future things may be better between us… that is if you’ll permit it.”

Hojo left the bar, his drink untouched.

He stared at the glass of alcohol next to him. It just sat there; it did nothing.

Just like Vincent.

As he stared at it, he could feel a type of shame build up inside him over his actions of the day. Lucretia… Cal… and now Hojo. He should have just listened to Cal from the beginning; nothing would have changed if he had just done that. But now Lucretia would never treat him the same and he had Hojo breathing down his neck now because Vincent was too stupid to hold his tongue and stop acting like a teenager.

Vincent continued to look at the glass… all of that shame.

Vincent picked it up and downed it in one shot.