Old Ghosts – Part V

Part One, Two, Three & Four (on LJ): http://delaese.livejournal.com/570118.html
http://delaese.livejournal.com/594459.html
http://delaese.livejournal.com/607419.html
http://delaese.livejournal.com/621511.html

Part One, Two, Three & Four (on DA):  http://magicrat.deviantart.com/gallery/?offset=24#/d4ekqbe
http://magicrat.deviantart.com/gallery/#/d4njjsi
http://magicrat.deviantart.com/gallery/?offset=24#/d4tn0ma
http://magicrat.deviantart.com/gallery/?offset=24#/d52y0e7

Author: The Magic Rat
Rating: PG
Pairing: Cid/Vincent
Warnings: Angst
Word Count: 7672
Website – Ex Libris:  http://www.winter-wood.net/ex-libris/index.html
Live Journal:  http://delaese.livejournal.com/profile
Honeybee Inn FF Community: http://honeybee-inn.livejournal.com/profile

Disclaimer: All Final Fantasy Seven characters, places and situations are the property of Square Soft/Square Enix and are used without permission and without intent of plagiarism or profit. Copyright for all stories and original characters is with the author, and may not be published, copied, distributed or archived without the author's prior written consent.

Summary: Vincent has a plan, and Cid doesn't like it in the least.

Author's notes: Catholic priest sequence dedicated to Nienna Weeper. Timeline for this fic is after Dirge of Cerberus. A gift fic for Orasa, sorry it took so long hon.

Sooper Speshul Seekrit Easter Egg! Spot the mpreg-victim!

Final chapter, ladies and gentlemen! Hope you like it!




The moment Rufus heard that Vincent wanted a baby, he shot out of the house, dove into his car and sped away, cackling, leaving Yuffie and Tseng to watch him go with matching expressions on their faces.

"Tseng?"

"Yes?"

"….why do I have a very bad feeling about the way that man is acting?"

Tseng watched the roadster fade into the distance, trailing dust. "I have no idea but I bet he's been sitting on this for a looooooong time, waiting for just such a moment."

Tseng's phone rang, and he answered it. "Sir?"

Yuffie watched the large man's facial expression. It was a look she would have sworn only certain cartoon rabbits could do. "Please tell me you are shitting me. Sir… how…?" Tseng sighed and rolled his eyes. "I think we should discuss this with the parents first, since it is their house. Sir?" Tseng sighed and closed his phone.

"Discuss what with the parents?" asked Yuffie.

"What room they wish to convert into a nursery."

"Gonna be hard to decide that with them at the hospital. Maybe we should just use the sun room."

"Why the sun room?"

"Because it's bright and they almost never use it and Vincent was saying it would make a great nursery. Is it just me or is it not a great idea for a terminally ill man to be adopting a kid?"

"I cannot say. It's possible having a child to look after could prolong his life. What is important is that he is looking for ways to live rather than waiting to die."

"I'd be happier if we were looking for a cure."

"Wiser people than we are looking for a cure," said Tseng. "In the meantime you and I have been instructed to prepare a room so the crew that will be arriving to assemble the nursery can start work as soon as they arrive."

"Aw I don't wanna work."

"Good, because I don't want to listen to you whine." He snapped his phone open. "Reno?"

"HEY! I don't whine!"

"Reno I need some help sorting a room, and since Yuffie is incompetent…"

"I AM NOT INCOMPETENT! I DON'T NEED DIAPERS!"

"…I was hoping you and Elena could come here and help because she's also slow and feeble."

"I AM NOT NEITHER! I'LL SHOW YOU SLOW AND FEEBLE, OLD MAN!"

Yuffie stomped off to the sun room and began sorting, packing, and cleaning. Tseng closed his phone and wondered how long it would take Yuffie to realize he had never dialed a number.

***---***

Cid helped Vincent out of the car, holding him carefully, feeling the trembling in his limbs. Vincent had experienced a very bad seizure the night before, and Cid decided the best thing to do was to take Vincent to the hospital. Nineteen hours later, Vincent was still shaky but considerably better, and with a bag full of new medication. He was also drugged to the eyeballs; a condition that was amusing Cid to no end.

"Poor baby! Now… can you find the floor?"

Vincent was walking like a horse that was deeply suspicious of the ground on which it stood. He was lifting his feet oddly high, squinting at the floor. Vincent had always had excellent eyesight, and his genetic alterations had only improved it. Now he was dealing with the after-effects of a seizure that had left his vision dim and blurry. And while it was annoying Vincent, it made Cid so happy he could sing. Six hours ago Vincent had gone stone blind, and the doctors told Cid that if Vincent didn't get at least some vision back within forty-eight hours, they would not release him. It would mean the disease had progressed to the point where Vincent was shutting down.

Three hours later, Vincent was seeing objects, albeit through a veil of shadows, but he was seeing, and his sight was slowly improving. Cid was so relieved he thought he could cry as Vincent managed to find his way into the house. However he drew the line at attempting the stairs to his room, and let Cid carry him up, placing him on the bed and kissing him.

"There ya go. Now – you want anything? You hungry?"

"No, I just want to rest."

Cid kissed him again. "Okay. You sleep, and I'll get dinner started."

Vincent nodded, and curled into a ball under the covers. Cid gently stroked the black hair, then quietly left the room, closing the door and heading downstairs. He paused, noticing the smell of latex paint.

"Yuffie? What did you do to Rufus' cat now?"

"Nothing! Why?"

"I smell paint."

"Oh har har. Come see the sun room!"

Cid did, and paused as he saw the interior of the room. The old and weathered wainscoting had been re-finished to a gleaming golden-red, and the tired and sombre wallpaper had been replaced with a cream-coloured paint. The oak floor had been refinished, and was covered in thick, bright play matts. Left in place was the window seat and rocking chair and stone fireplace, and added were curtains, a crib, toy box, bright pictures of animals and fish, and a mobile of great whales. All had been done in keeping with the old house's vintage décor, just touched up to make the room clean, bright, and welcoming. Cid slowly stepped into the chamber, looking around.

"Who told Shinra?"

"Tseng. He did an awesome job, didn't he?"

"Yeah," said Cid quietly. "But he's kinda jumping the gun, isn't he? We don't even know if they're gonna let Vincent and I adopt a baby."

Yuffie shrugged. "He's Rufus Shinra, I don't think he worries about people telling him 'no'."

"Which means he probably already has a baby in mind," said Cid. "Great. Now I'm worried."

"About what? A baby? It's just a baby, what's to worry about? Unless it's really ugly or sumthin'."

"Yeah, I guess."

"I mean it's not like he's got something made by Hojo sitting in a jar somewhere…"

Yuffie and Cid looked at each other.

"I mean it's really unlikely," said Yuffie.

"He better not. C'mon, let's make dinner, I'm starved."

They were heading down the narrow hall to the kitchen when the door burst open and Rufus Shinra tore by, duster flapping, dragging what appeared to be a somewhat worried Catholic priest. They ran upstairs, and into Vincent's room. Cid and Yuffie watched them go, then Cid continued to the kitchen. He had no idea what Rufus was up to, but he figured he would find out in time.

"Hey Shinra!" he called. "You be careful with all that running around! You're not well either! You keep charging up and down the stairs and I'll tell your Turks!"

"Aw but Mom!" said Rufus.

"You just never mind that 'aw but mom' shit. You run up those stairs once more and I'll tie you to the bed!"

There was a long pause, then; "And do what to me?"

Cid sighed loudly and walked into the kitchen, grumbling. "Barret's right. Up to my ass in jackasses."

At the top of the stairs, Rufus and his friend opened the door and peered in at Vincent, who was lying on the bed. His eyes were opened slightly, and he lay on his back like a dead thing, one arm across his middle. Rufus had seen this numerous times, but for his long-time friend it was a bit of a shock. Father Raymond stared at Vincent, then looked at Rufus.

"Um… is this some sort of joke?"

"Joke?" said Rufus, confused. "Why would it be a joke? Cid and Vincent want to get married."

Raymond crossed his arms and looked at Rufus. "I can't marry them."

"You married Reeve and I."

"Yes but Reeve had a heartbeat. I don't believe that man does."

"Don't be ridiculous if you can help it," said Rufus dismissively.

"Rufus… that man is dead. Assuredly he needs a priest, but for last rites, not marriage rites."

"He's fine," said Rufus.

"He's dead."

"He's not dead he's resting."

Raymond ran his hand down his face. "Rufus I am not going to stand in the hall and do a revamped version of the Dead Parrot Sketch with you."

"He's getting better!"

"Enough with the Monty Python! Rufus… that man is deceased! I may believe that two men have the right to marry but I draw the line at necrophilia."

"Jesus was fine with it. He went and 'raised' Lazarus didn't he?"

"I am going to give you such a smack."

"Raymond," said Rufus, "granted Vincent is not well but I assure you he is very much alive. Come. I'll show you."

Rufus took his friend by the wrist and led him into the darkening room, the sun setting as they crept to the bed.

"Vincent?" said Rufus, "Vincent. Wake up for a moment."

The sun sank. The red eyes shot open, flaming in the dusk-light. Like a grotesque leaver going into place, he rose, body stiff as he moved into a standing position, hovering slightly above the bed covers. Raymond screamed bloody murder and shot out of the room, down the stairs and out of the house. He did not stop running until he reached the first pub he saw and ran inside, screaming the dead were rising. Rufus just crossed his arms and gazed at the apparition.

"You've been waiting years to do that, haven't you?"

Vincent looked pleased with himself, slowly lowering down to the bed and settling himself on the soft mattress. He drew the covers up over his lap, then looked to Rufus.

"I wish to be married in a Buddhist ceremony."

"You could have just said so."

***---***

Vincent may have been becoming increasingly frail, but as his body weakened, his spirit seemed to grow stronger. He knew how he wanted his life to go, he had goals to meet, and once they had been achieved every new day would be gravy.

He and Cid married nine months later in winter, standing in the old cemetery as the snow fell and the sea frothed silver, symbolizing the death of the past. Spring would come now, and things would grow anew, and it was clear that Vincent was flourishing mentally in his new surroundings. He was happier than he had been in many years, and it reflected in the slowness of his disease progression; many others would have been dead by now, but after a year of being in his little house by the sea, the doctors predicted he may still have another year left. Watching him stand in the falling snow, Cid could believe it.

"Happy?" Cid asked.

Vincent nodded, allowing himself to be drawn close for a cuddle and a kiss.

"You're trembling. We should get you inside."

"Soon," he said softly, watching as Rufus approached to feed him a mouthful of cake.

"Congratulations," said Rufus, "you're pregnant."

"When am I due?" asked Vincent.

Rufus checked his watch. "Well, if I leave now, and let Reno drive, I would say you could be giving birth in about ninety minutes."

"You stay here," said Reno. "Rude and I will get the baby."

"I thought storks brought babies, not turkeys," said Cid.

Reno and Rude departed, leaving the three standing in the snow. Cid watched them go, his expression thoughtful.

"You're not going to tell us anything about this child are you?"

"After you see it, I will answer any and all questions. But if the police show up, you know nothing."

Rufus suddenly began to shake, and as Cid watched, he sank to the ground, exhaustion and the after-effects of geo-stigma catching up with him. Time to get everyone inside, Cid decided, as Vincent chose that moment to have a mini-seizure in sympathy for Rufus' plight. Cid picked up his new husband.

"Barret! Pick up Shinra!"

Barret did, lifting the shivering bundle from the ground, then grumbled as Rufus draped his arms around Barret's strong neck.

"Oh Barret, you're so dreamy!"

"Don't make me drop you."

Vincent and Rufus were carried upstairs and placed in the large bed, then covered over. Vincent was given a shot to stop the seizure, then Rufus was given his pain medication for the agonizing symptoms of the stigma. Ten minutes later, both were asleep.

Eleven minutes later, photos of Rufus Shinra sound asleep and hugging another man like a teddy bear were posted all over the 'net.

***---***

Rude and Reno came back after two hours, stepping out of the car and hurrying through the falling snow to the house, Reno holding something small close to his chest. Tifa was by the door, bouncing with excitement, but all she got was Rude coming in and swiftly moving her aside so she couldn't see what was wrapped in the green blanket. She beat at him with mock intent, fists pattering on his chest.

"Meanie meanie meanie!"

"Orders," was all he said.

"And your boss is a meanie too!"

Cloud watched Tifa beat on Rude, who seemed to be somewhat perturbed that she was wrinkling his jacket.

"So when do we get to see the baby? Assuming that was it."

"That's Vincent's call," said Rude. He briefly raised his fists as if considering giving her the same treatment she was giving him, but Tifa had a shirt-full of impressive deterrents. Rude was pretty sure Barret would pull his limbs off if he began motorboating his girlfriend's boobs. Cloud pulled her off.

"Leave the Turk alone, you're getting him all wrinklie."

Cid appeared at the top of the stairs. "Wanna see Vincent give birth?"

"Yes!" said Tifa.

"Okay be quiet and get up here. He won't show anyone until we're all in the room."

The room quietly filled. Rufus was sitting up, blinking and sleepy and clearly weak from having overextended himself all day. Beside Rufus sat Cid, and nearby lurked Reno. Vincent lay on his back on the bed, clearly nervous about unwrapping the tiny bundle that rested on his abdomen. He waited until all his friends were gathered, then carefully drew aside the green blanket.

The baby was ice-white, and clearly not more than a few hours old at best. The little eyes that blinked confusedly at the new world in which he found himself were an eerie feline green, and poking up at odd angles were tiny fuzzy black baby-wings. Vincent burst into tears and held the infant close. Cloud, Tifa, Yuffie, Barret, Cid and Nanaki just stared in unabashed horror.

"What the hell have you done?" asked Cloud.

Rufus blinked cold blue eyes at him. "Vincent wanted a child. I gave him the one he never got to touch."

"Sephiroth?" said Barret. "Is Vincent's…?"

"Sephiroth was Vincent's child. I have no idea why that vertical free-roaming slug Hojo thought he was his, but there is no way anything that ugly fathered Sephiroth," said Rufus.

"So it is Sephiroth," said Barret warily.

"One hundred percent. Of course Sephiroth didn't have wings when he was born, but the only DNA I had to work with was that of the complete model, so to speak."

"And what do we do when the darling baby bunting flips his noodle?" asked Cid.

"He won't," said Cloud quietly. "Sephiroth was intentionally driven insane. This time there will be no lab, no Jenova, no Hojo. He will be what he was in the beginning – gentle, shy, and loving. It's only fair he gets a second chance with the people who love him."

"Cloud is right," said Vincent quietly, holding his tiny son. "All the records indicate that violence was not natural to Sephiroth. He was a soldier, a warrior in the old tradition, and he enjoyed it. But he was not a deranged killer. It took 25 years of torment to make him one. He'll be tormented no more."

Tifa stepped closer to look at the tiny bundle, reaching out to touch the fuzzy wings. It prompted a minuscule burp.

"Terrifying," said Nanaki dryly.

"We're gonna have to teach him how to use all that power responsibly," said Cid. "What are we going to call him?"

"Sephiroth," said Vincent firmly, almost challengingly. Cid sat back and raised an eyebrow.

"Do I detect a parental growl?"

"I chose that name."

"Don't I get any say in this?"

"Not in the name you don't," said Vincent.

"What happened to that shy, retiring and somewhat timid little gunslinger we all knew and loved?"

"He had a baby," said Yuffie. "Never mess with anyone's momma."

Tifa carefully pet the tiny fuzzy wings. "He's absolutely adorable. Hello sweetie! How old are you?"

Reno looked at his watch. "Forty-five minutes."

The baby flexed his wings experimentally, blinking at Nanaki's huge red nose. The wet snuffling thing that seemed so gigantic to the infant crept closer and touched the baby, prompting an unhappy squeak. Cid poked the offending proboscis.

"This is for sniffing, not poking."

"I wasn't poking, I was looking."

"Where did this baby come from?" asked Barret. "I mean is there a surrogate mom…?"

"That's one word for a gigantic beaker," said Rufus.

"Terrific," said Cid. "It's a Hojo-Baby."

"Oh it is not, if it was a Hojo-baby it would have tentacles. But I can always take it back if you're not ha…"

Vincent made a low, threatening growling noise. Cid just sighed.

"Now I have a Hojo-Baby and my husband is possessed."

"Cid," said Vincent quietly, "if you call our child that one more time…"

"What? Hojo-Baby?"

Vincent fixed him with a look that was very clearly a warning. For one of the few times in his life, Cid Highwind backed down.

"Okay fine, you will never hear that term out of me again. But I'm not crazy about that beaker."

"It wasn't a beaker," said Rufus. "It was one of those tanks they put premature babies in so they can develop properly. He's a perfectly normal healthy baby. With fuzzy black chicken wings."

"And… it is Sephiroth?" asked Vincent quietly.

"It is absolutely Sephiroth," said Rufus. "The DNA was taken immediately after his final genetic treatment, formed into a clone and then put in stasis. The baby will have his quirks and personality and likes and dislikes, but none of the memories. He will not remember Genesis and Angeal, he will not remember Nibelheim, and he will not remember Hojo."

"That means he won't remember Zack, either," said Cloud sadly.

"No," said Rufus. "But I can't give him back everything. I gave him his life. I gave him a loving family."

"It's just…" began Cloud.

"Cloud stop angsting," said Rufus impatiently. "Seriously. Just get yourself a glass of warm milk, go find your teddy bear, and give it a rest.  There are plenty of big-boned dorky boys with too much energy and the IQ of a duck for him to fall in love with when he grows up."

"Fine," grumbled Cloud.

Tifa tried to suppress a giggle and couldn't.

"It would be cool though if he and Zack met up again," said Yuffie.

"Yes, well, I am the baby-fairy, not the twu-wuv fairy," said Rufus.

"Did they make DNA copies of all the First Class soldiers?" asked Tifa.

"Well the little darlings cost millions to create," said Rufus. "Replacing Sephiroth if he was killed in battle could cost upwards of twenty million dollars."

"But that means they have Zack on ice somewhere," said Yuffie. "And Angeal and Genesis."

"So we could give him Zack!" said Tifa.

"Hold it!" said Rufus. "I'm all in favour of true love but there is no guarantee Zack and Sephiroth would feel the same way about each other. Much of what made them fall in love were shared experiences. Putting two toddlers in the same play pen to visit does not necessarily lead to love."

"But if Vincent has Sephiroth and I have Zack…."

"Hold it!" said Barret. "Who the hell said anything about adopting Strife's old army buddy as a kid?"

"We're not going to adopt him. They're going to implant him in me and I'm going to have him. So there."

Tifa left the room to make plans. Barret just stared after her, jaw hanging. Rufus gave him a pat on the shoulder.

"Congratulations, daddy."

"I shoulda killed you when I had the chance, Shinra."

***---***

It was late, and the snow was falling hard. The house was silent. Vincent was asleep, and Rufus and Cid were seated at the table, drinking tea and gazing out at the winter night in a comfortable silence. It had been a long day; Cid and Vincent had married, Sephiroth was returned to his father, and there were dishes piled in heaps everywhere that would just have to wait until morning. Everyone was very tired.

"I should probably be on my way," said Rufus softly.

"And go where?" asked Cid. "It's late."

"I meant… I should probably move out. You have a family now."

Cid looked at him in surprise. "Move out? Why?"

"I said why. You have a family. And… and I think it's time I stood on my own two feet."

"Rufus you run the biggest corporation on the planet, it's not like you're living in your mom's basement."

"I know," said Rufus. "But… I've never had a home. I've had the elements of one, of course. Apartments, houses, what have you. But... never a home. Never a place that I went to and said; "This is mine. This is where I live". I almost had one with Reeve, but… it was still more a place where we slept than a home. And… I overheard someone in the office calling me a relationship scavenger."

"What's that?"

"It's a person who ingratiates themselves into a household where one person is dying in the hopes of slipping themselves into the marriage bed. And it hurt because I think there may be an element of truth to it."

"Rufus you have done nothing to undermine my relationship with Vincent. Not one thing."

"I don't mean trying to take you away from Vincent," said Rufus. "I mean… attaching myself to your family because I don't have one of my own. I've been thinking about it, and… I don't know if I came here to help or if I came here to use your situation to avoid thinking about what I lost. And now… I don't know what to do."

"Then I'll tell you what to do," said Cid. "You are going to take your pills, get into your jammies, snuggle up with your cat and stop worrying. I know you're probably not going to want to live in a tiny house with me the rest of your life. But you've been a real blessing here. And if you think you're gonna drop off a baby and then flee for safety you got another thing coming."

Yhe door opened. They heard the sound of someone stepping inside, wiping their boots off and closing the door. Dark watched, tentacle waving, as nothing at all walked up the stairs.

"A lot of old ghosts in this place," said Cid.

Rufus managed a smile. "Some days more than others. Let's finish off the last of the champagne then go to bed."

"Sounds good."

Rufus opened a half-finished bottle, and poured the delicate fluid into Cid's empty tea cup. He then poured some into his own.

"Well at least Sephiroth won't be without some little cousins to play with."

"Oh? Is Tifa planning on more than one?"

"Well she might be, but hers will not be the only baby born in nine months. Except this one will arrive in seven."

"Who else is pregnant? It better not be Yuffie!"

"It is not Yuffie."

"Then who's pregnant? Do I know her?"

"Him."

"Hah?"

"Him," said Rufus. "It is not her. It is a him."

Cid just stared. "I'm sorry…. What?"

Rufus sipped his champagne. "He allowed himself to be used as a test subject for a simple fertility experiment, to test an artificial uterus."

"And they found it worked, right?"

"He wasn't actually supposed to go reproduce himself but apparently he got drunk at a party and had far more fun than anticipated."

"Do I know him?"

"Yes you do," said Rufus. "And I'm not allowed to tell you who he is."

"Aw come on. Gimme a hint!"

"No! I can't! He asked me not to tell, if I do I betrayed a trust. He wants to tell everyone himself."

"No hints?" wheedled Cid.

"He was at your wedding tonight."

"Well that doesn't help! There was over a hundred people there!"

"It's the best I can do. Now if you will excuse me, I have to get to bed." Rufus drained his cup, then set it down, looking thoughtful. "You… really don't mind my being here?"

"Not at all," said Cid. "Like I said… I know someday you will meet someone and want to get on with your life, but for now… I really like having you here. Vincent does too. We'd like you to stay."

Rufus smiled and nodded, the blue eyes shining. He reached out to briefly take Cid's hand, and for a long moment they just looked at each other. Then Rufus left, Dark lazily strolling after him. Cid made a pretense of tidying the kitchen, then went upstairs to the bedroom he shared with Vincent. Cid grinned like an idiot as he saw Vincent sitting up in bed, Sephiroth settled against his chest.

"Hey you two. I thought you were both asleep. How's Gaia's mightiest warrior?"

"He needs Daddy to warm him a bottle."

"He does, huh?" Cid sat down on the bed and looked at the teeny thing with the fuzzy wings. "He's gonna have a hard time fitting in with other kids with those budgie-dusters on his back."

"Well with luck he will be able to retract them when he gets older." Vincent smiled. "I never got to hold him the first time. I wanted to."

"Was he this small and pink the first time?"

"Yeah. Not very daunting, is he?"

"I dunno, I'm sure the first time he fills his diaper it'll be pretty frightening."

The Mighty Sephiroth, Scourge of Nibelheim, dubbed The Nightmare by his enemies, seemed to hear what Cid said and did just that – loudly and messily. Vincent handed the baby to his new husband.

"Here. You change the Silver Kitten. I'll warm his bottle."

"Gee thanks. Are you gonna be okay on the stairs? We can wake Rufus…"

"No, no, let Rufus sleep. I'll just be slow and careful."

Cid knew the real reason Vincent was fetching the bottle while Cid was changing the diaper – Vincent didn't want to risk a seizure while holding the baby. Plastic milk bottles bounced. Babies didn't. Cid carried the baby to the nursery and changed and bathed the infant.

"You used to be…. What? Seven feet tall with hair to your knees? Oh man I am so looking forward to seeing you at age thirteen with long-ass skinny legs and pimples and whining about why girls don't like you. Well it's okay. At least you'll get a chance to be normal. Well… as normal as you can be living with us."

The baby was cleaned, fed, and tucked into his crib. Then Cid joined Vincent in bed, and the pair lay close together, slowly dozing off. As Cid lay beside Vincent, he heard a sound that made his heart drop; a soft little coughing noise every time Vincent inhaled. It was regular and quiet, sounding something like a tiny steam engine. Inhale, cough, exhale, all in an even rhythm. He knew that noise. He'd been dreading hearing it. They still had some time together, but the end was creeping closer.

Cid got out of bed and left the room, heading downstairs and creeping into Rufus' room. He sat down on the bed and reached out to touch Rufus' shoulder.

"Rufus. Wake up."

"No. If you want to have an affair in your own house with your husband upstairs then do the decent thing and wait until I've had a full night's sleep."

"Vincent has begun to cough."

Rufus rolled onto his back and looked at Cid. "I'm… truly sorry."

"Isn't there anything we can do?"

"Cid I looked. Believe me, I looked. I was as anxious to save Reeve as you are to save Vincent. But there is no known cure."

"Then maybe we have to invent one."

"Cid it is four in the morning and we are both drunk."

"But… but there must be a way…"

"Cid… go to sleep. We will look in the morning. All right?"

Cid nodded. "Okay. But… if there is something we can do…"

"We will find it."

"What if you cloned him?"

"Then your husband would be an infant and you'd be in jail for all manner of things."

"Can't you make him an adult?"

"Cid go to sleep! I tried all this! Don't you think I tried all this?!"

"I just… don't want him to die…"

"None of us do," said Rufus softly. "But all we can do is love him while we have him. Now go to sleep. We will go to Healin tomorrow. Vincent will need to be looked at anyway if he's started coughing. Perhaps they can tell us something."

"Yeah. All right. Night Rufus."

"Good night Cid."

Cid returned to his bed, climbing in beside Vincent and held him close. He did not sleep that night.

***---***

The doctor looked as tired as Cid felt as the trio sat in the office at Healin.

"Cid we have told you – there is nothing that can be done. The drugs are the only treatment that we have found to be even moderately effective, and once the coughing starts…"

"But he's genetically modified to an insane degree! There's gotta be something! He was raised from the fucking dead for crying out loud!"

Vincent watched in silence as the doctor ran his hand down his face. The man was likely on the verge of hitting Cid with a plank out of sheer frustration. "Then at the risk of sounding incredibly flip and callous, neither of which I am, I assure you, we could try letting him die and then raise him again. If he is dead, it will kill the virus."

"We're trying to prevent him being dead, not cause it!" said Cid hotly.

"No, wait," said Vincent. "Cid… if Rufus has the details of the experiments performed on me…"

"No! What if you don't wake up?! I will have lost you! I don't want to lose you!"

"You are going to lose me eventually," said Vincent. "I would rather take a change at defeating the virus than leaving you and the baby alone."

"But what if they can't revive you?!" Cid was becoming frantic, rising from his chair. "What if all we do is kill you six months early?!"

"Cid," said Vincent quietly, "I'm not going to force this decision on you. If we try this, I may die. If we try nothing, I will die. It's drastic but with my alterations we may be able to do it."

"I hate it! I hate the whole idea!" Cid was shaking as he spoke. "What if you die? What if all we do is kill you?"

Vincent and the doctor sat in silence as Cid paced, looking physically ill at the idea they were pondering. If they killed him, they could kill the virus and raise him. If they did nothing, he would die and there would be no raising him. It seemed they were limited in their choices.

"How long would it take for the virus to die?" asked Cid.

"There is no guarantee it would," said the doctor. "Viruses can be incredibly resilient. I suggest that we draw some blood and test it and see if and when the virus dies. If it doesn't then we know there is no point in trying."

"This is the stupidest idea I ever heard of!" said Cid. "The Three Stooges couldn't come up with a dumber plan!"

"Cid, we know that most viruses do not survive long in a dead body," said the doctor. "They need certain conditions to live. We know the HIV virus dies between 24 to 36 hours, because it lives in the blood, and it takes that long for the blood to become uninhabitable for the virus. Myerson's can only exist in hot, damp conditions, such as within a human host. My suggestion is we literally put Vincent on ice. If he is dead and freezing cold then the virus will not be able to live."

"I won't do it if you don't want me to," said Vincent.

"It's bullshit!" Cid's voice was high-pitched and cracking with emotion. "If I say no then when you die I'll spend the rest of my life wondering if I could have saved you! And if I say yes and you die then I'm an asshole and I lost you sooner than I would have if I say no!" Cid continued to pace, feeling sick and afraid. He finally burst into tears and sank to his knees. "Okay fine, do it!"

"All right," said the doctor. "We'll do this are carefully as we can. We'll get the information on what was done to Vincent, check to see how fast the virus will die, and proceed from there."

Vincent slipped off his chair to hold Cid, trying to comfort him.  The doctor left the office to talk to Rufus about getting the experiment details.

***---***

"Gee Yuffie, how did you spend your Friday afternoon? Well gosh I got to sit in a small room at Cid's house and watch Vincent get put down like an old cat, how about you?"

"Glad to see I'm not the only person who thinks this is stupid," said Cid.

"It's beyond stupid," said Yuffie. "The Three Stooges couldn't come up with a dumber plan!"

Cid pointed at Yuffie in triumph as he stared at Vincent, who just sighed.

"Cid we discussed this."

"It doesn't mean I have to like it!"

Cloud looked at the doctor. "So what is the plan?"

"The plan," said the doctor, "is to put Vincent in the large refrigerated truck we have outside, then sedate him into a state of suspended animation. We will then lower his body temperature until his core reaches a temperature at which the virus cannot survive and leave him there until it is dead. We will then attempt to raise Mr. Valentine."

There was a long silence from the group in the room.

"So which one of us is Moe?" grumbled Barret.

They moved Vincent downstairs to the truck and hooked up the monitoring equipment, then laid him on a steel-topped table that normally held ice cream.

"I should take my clothes off," said Vincent. "I'll freeze faster."

"I'm in favour of Naked!Vincent," said Yuffie.

"I vote for Naked!Vincent as well," said Rufus.

"I'm not doing it now," said Vincent, "You all like the idea too much."

Vincent closed his eyes and allowed himself to be drugged. Seconds later he was still and limp, his head turned to one side, his long hair hanging over the edge of the table. Then they closed the doors and locked them with a final-sounding metallic clang. Slowly, one by one, they wandered back into the house to await the results of this incredibly dangerous experiment. It was not a happy wait. The last time any of the group had seen Cid so agitated had been when they first met him in Rocket Town. This time, however, instead of ranting, he stood outside by the truck, chain-smoking and looking like an axe-murderer waiting for someone to just give him an excuse to start.

"If this doesn't work we're gonna have to put Highwind in a rubber room 'til he calms down," said Barret, watching Cid from the kitchen window. "An' I ain't volunteering to catch him."

"It's all right," said Rufus. "I can always hit him with a tranquilizer from an upstairs window. Vincent is not the only one who can use a gun."

"Oh yeah that will make him nice and cheery," said Yuffie. She looked up as there came a small noise from the next room. "The Destroyer of Planets is awake."

"I'll get him," said Cloud. He walked into the next room to get the baby. "Look at you, causing trouble already. You got one sock off and a full diaper, is that any way for a General to behave?"

There was some squeaking and crying, and the sound of Cloud talking quietly to the infant. The group at the table exchanged glances, then Barret raised his hand.

"Okay, everyone who finds it weird that Strife knows how to change a baby raise your hand."

"It's not weird," said Tifa. "He and I used to babysit when we were kids. Mrs. Cocker hired him as a part-time nanny one summer."

"Why would anyone hire Cloud?" asked Yuffie.

"Because her husband died a week before she gave birth to quints," said Tifa.

"That would do it," said Rufus. He smiled as his cat rose up to smear her huge nose all over him in affection. Rufus smiled and hugged the creature.

"No self-respect," said Nanaki disdainfully.

"I'm sorry," said Rufus, "who was it lying on the sofa licking his balls this morning?"

Nanaki's ears shot up in alarm. Tifa reached out to scratch his ears.

"It's okay, Nanaki, we all get caught doing dumb stuff from time to time."

A car pulled up, stopping before the house. The engine was turned off, and Rufus' Turks emerged, carefully avoiding Cid and coming up the stairs and into the house. Elena was first, scooting inside and into the safety of the kitchen.

"That man is not happy," she said. "How is the experiment going?"

"We don't know," said Tifa. She watched as Reno and Rude came in, followed slowly by Tseng who looked like hell warmed over. "Gee Tseng, you look awful."

"That goes with feeling awful. I'll be fine as soon as I…" Tseng turned green and fled the room.

"Someone had too much fun last night," said Yuffie. "I can't wait until I'm old enough to get drunk off my ass and do all the things I used to get shit for as a kid."

Rufus chuckled quietly. After a few minutes, Tseng returned from the bathroom, looking dishevelled and pale, smelling of mouthwash. Rufus took his hand and squeezed it. A silent communication seemed to pass between them, but they said nothing.

"Anyone want coffee?" said Reno.

"Me," said Barret.

"I'd love a cup," said Tifa.

Reno made coffee. The group sat in the kitchen, the seconds ticking away as Cid chain-smoked and paced by the truck.

"How long is this gonna take?" asked Rude.

"Could be hours," said Rufus. "We don't know. Personally I would have thought the only person capable of coming up with an idea this foolhardy would have been Hojo but we're rather desperate at this point. And if it works then perhaps they can find a way to modify the treatment to make it safe for non-altered humans."

"We should be doing this at a hospital," said Yuffie.

"Vincent wouldn't have it," said Rufus. "Given what he has been through that's hardly surprising."

"Besides, it would make too much sense," grumbled Barret.

They sat and waited. Reno made coffee. Then he made scones. Then he made an angel food cake. Then he made a three cheese casserole. It seemed he was not a man who could sit still during times of tension. Then, two and a half hours after the experiment began, the doctor stepped out of the truck, opening his parka and pushing the hood back. The cold winter day was far warmer than the inside of the truck. He said something to Cid, who backed up. They talked for a bit, then Cid came tearing into the house and up the stairs, heading into the bedroom to build a fire.

"Does that mean it worked?" asked Yuffie hopefully.

The doctor peeked into the kitchen. "I need someone to help me carry Mr. Valentine to his room."

"I'll help," said Barret.

"Me too," said Cloud.

He passed baby Sephiroth to the nearest person, who happened to be Tifa. Cloud then followed Barret outside to unload Vincent like some freakish ice-sculpture and carry him on his stretcher to the upstairs bedroom. He did not look alive. He was blue and stiff, and the only word that came to Rufus' mind as they took him to his room was 'roadkill'. They carried him to the bed, then moved him, stiff and icy cold, to its soft surface.

"What now?" asked Cid.

"Treat him for severe hypothermia and hope we can get his heart going," said the doctor.

"What about brain damage?"

"I find it unlikely," said the doctor. "It was never inactive. The body was dead, all right, but his brain never shut down. I suspect that is intentional tampering on the part of the scientist who altered him. A normal person would never survive something like this. Likely the brain would not die until there was a significant amount of decomposition."

"Well maybe we can do a brain transplant!" said Yuffie. "If this doesn't work then we can put Vin's brain into another body!"

"I find it unlikely even Valentine could survive that," said Barret.

"As do I," said the doctor. "Let's see if he survived what we did do to him."

***---***

It was one in the morning when the single soft chime of the grandfather clock in the hall prompted movement. The red eyes blinked open, and there was a long inhalation of breath. Vincent raised his head and made a quiet, unhappy noise. Cid was at his side in a second, kneeling beside the bed and gently taking his face between his hands.

"Baby?"

"I had this horrible nightmare that I was a popsicle."

"Yeah well I got bad news for you, that wasn't a dream. How do you feel?"

"Thawed. Did it work?"

"We don't know yet. We have to wait until the people at the lab do some tests. C'mon, how do you feel?"

"I don't know, Highwind, I just woke up!"

"Well you're cranky, that must be a good vital sign." Cid kissed him. "You want anything?"

"Hot chocolate and a bath."

"You got it… right after I answer the phone."

Cid tore out of the room, running downstairs into the kitchen to snatch the phone from the receiver.

"Hello?"

"Cid? This is Linda, I'm a technician at Healin. I know it's late, but I thought you world like the news…"

"Yeah?" he asked warily.

"He's clean. It worked. He's going to be just fine."

Cid felt his brain refuse to take in the news. "I'm sorry… what?"

"Your Three Stooges plan worked. Sadly it would never be effective for a normal human being but…"

Cid put his hand to his heart as his legs began to shake. He managed to thank Linda before hanging up, then slid to the floor in a quivering heap, weeping in relief. It was a few minutes before he managed to get himself under control and drag himself to his feet, feeling weak after so long carrying a huge weight on his shoulders. Vincent would be fine. He would grow well and strong and they could live their lives together. It was almost more than he could comprehend. He thought about calling the others, but… no. Not at this hour. They would assume the worst, and as the Cowboy Junkies stated so eloquently; good news always sleeps 'til noon.

He walked down the hall in a daze to Rufus' room, moving on autopilot as his brain tried to take in the news. He opened the door and stumbled inside, finding Rufus and… someone else? Huh. When did that happen? Cid walked over to the bed and peered down at the pair, seeing Rufus curled into a ball, nose under the covers, being spooned by… was that Tseng? What the fuck? Ah he would sort all this later. He had hot chocolate to make.

Still in some form of shock, Cid walked back to the kitchen and took out a pot, then began looking for cocoa and sugar. Mr. Valentine did not drink pre-packaged cocoa. Cid filled the pot with milk, then reached down to pat a huge wet black nose. Dark wanted a midnight snack, so he got the big cat a nice meaty cow-bone to worry. Slowly the information permeated Cid's brain. Vincent was okay. They managed to kill the virus. He would get better. And Rufus Shinra was in bed with his head Turk. He knew the Turks slept with him on occasion, but never naked and under the covers. That was something else entirely…

"Guess we're all gonna be okay," he said, then left the pot to warm as Sephiroth began to fuss.

Yeah, they were all gonna be okay.