The Reason

Chapter 12

The straps were too tight, bruising her tiny, delicate wrists. The lights shining above her made it impossible to see anything. There was a stale, sterile smell about the room.

“Not again.” she moaned, “Please, not again!”

The voice just cackled maniacally, and once again like so many nights before, she felt needles jabbing into her skin. So many needles… “Stop…” she pleads, “No more!”

“Who are you? What are you doing to me?”

The needles were abruptly yanked from her body, and the anesthetic was not given time to work before a sharp scalpel was slicing across her rib cage.

She screamed, her arms straining to break free of the leather that bound her against the frigid metallic slab.


“Jexebel.” someone was shaking her. She suddenly realized her arms were free, and lashed out at her assailant. A strong, warm hand captured her wrist.

“Jexebel,” the voice said again. “Jexebel, shhh, wake up it’s just a dream.”

She struggled a moment against the weight that held her down before opening her eyes. Her eyes were slow to focus, but she soon recognized the deep crimson eyes that stared down at her.

“Vincent” she gasped.

He pulled her into a sitting position and embraced her, tightly.

“It’s okay my love.” he said soothingly.

She sobbed silently into his chest.

“It was horrible Vincent,” she stated between ragged breaths. “I was strapped to a table, and they were sticking me with needles in every part of my body, and cutting me open, and that voice…he was laughing –” Her hands slowly slid under her shirt to feel the skin covering the left side of her rib cage. Her eyes portrayed her panic as she fingered the long, stretch of raised skin indicating a deep, precise cut.

“Oh my god,” she whispered, “You mean that actually happened?!” She spoke so rapidly during her explanation that Vincent couldn’t understand a word she said.

“Hold on, hold on. What really happened?”

“He held me down… he put… something in my body. He cut me open…”

Vincent just pulled her trembling body against his. “It’s alright, it’s over.” He gently kissed her forehead, and rocked her back and forth until her breathing evened out again, and he knew she was asleep.


Vincent was fuming. Although he knew it was useless to be angry with the scientist, it didn’t change the fact that he was. He knew first hand what Jexebel was going through. Though he could say that the years had made him stronger, there were hard nights when his own nightmares would return. He sat on the edge of the bed that Rufus had supplied for them, his hand resting on Jexebel’s forehead. His heart bled with every terrified whimper that escaped her. Indeed, the demons tormented her even in her sleep.

Though he was exhausted, he knew he could not sleep until Jexebel rested peacefully. This being the fourth night this had occurred, Vincent knew he was in for a long night.


When Vincent next awoke he was alone, and he could hear the familiar sounds of his teammates bustling about the inn. He rolled onto his back and brought a hand up to sweep across his face, wiping the sleep from his tired eyes. He reluctantly rose from the bed, and pulled his black slacks over his hips. As he pulled his dress shirt over his shoulders a knock sounded at his door. He answered it to find Denzel fidgeting outside his door. Before he could greet the boy, Denzel spoke.

“Cloud says to come to the dojo cause they’re fighting”

“Who’s fighting?” Vincent asked, curious.

“Jex’bel an’ Yuffie.”

‘ Oh. Shit.” His brain supplied. Vincent slipped Denzel and rushed to the dojo, buttoning his dress shirt as he went. When he arrived the site he found confused him. He wasn’t sure whether he should laugh or scream. Jexebel and Yuffie were both flying through the air. Towards eachother. Yuffie’s expression was hard, focused, where Jexebel’s was bright with joy. It was obvious to Vincent that she was enjoying herself. He couldn’t help but wonder why they were fighting. The dojo was crowded, onlookers cheering for both Jexebel, and Yuffie, therefore Vincent concluded that the fight was simply entertainment. Their bodies collided, falling to the ground, with Yuffie emerging on top, victorious – or so she thought. In a blur of movement Jexebel lifted her knees and flipped Yuffie over her head, somersaulting to a crouching position. Vincent watched as Yuffie stood, dusting herself off, and falling into perfect form. Then he looked at Jexebel. She rose elegantly and Vincent caught the minute shiver that seemed to run down her spine. He noticed the change immediately, her shoulders hunched, her head bent low, her back arched, and she rose to the balls of her feet. Her fingers spread in a feline manner. She was stalking Yuffie, as an alley cat would stalk a butterfly.

The women rushed eachother at the same time, Yuffie crouching low and delivering a kick that was to land Jexebel on her back. At least that’s how it was meant. Jexebel leapt into the air with an aerial flip before landing behind Yuffie. She lashed out, her fingers clawed, digging blunt tips into Yuffie’s side. Yuffie growled and spun around raising a leg. Her foot connected with the side of Jexebel’s face. She spun to the ground bracing herself on her hands. Yuffie moved in ‘for the kill’, but was foiled again when Jexebel leapt to her feet and tackled her to the ground.

“Give up?” Jexebel said panting.

“You wish” Yuffie retorted. She shoved Jexebel off of her and leapt to her feet once again. That was when Jexebel caught a glimpse of pale skin and long black hair in the back of the crowd.

Vincent.

Yuffie took the opportunity as Jexebel was distracted, and twisted around behind her. She tackled her to the ground face first and hooked her arms around Jexebel’s elbows, pulling them back behind her. Yuffie braced her knee between Jexebel’s shoulder blades. “Give up?” Yuffie asked, smug. Jexebel struggled, but the position Yuffie held her in was painful.

“Fine,” she whined, “You win. Now get off of me.” Yuffie stood up and did ‘The Victory Dance’, twirling around chanting, “I win, I win!” Jexebel stood and dusted herself off.

“Cheater” Jexebel teased. “I was distracted”

“Distracted by what?” Yuffie exclaimed, amused.

Jexebel only smiled as Vincent made his way to stand directly behind Yuffie.

“Good morning, Yuffie.” Vincent said smoothly.

Yuffie’s face fell from mild amusement to heart stopping shock. She whirled around to face him.

“Vincent”, she greeted timidly. “How long have you been here?”

He simply raised an eyebrow and shook his head.

“What is this about?” He asked, stepping around Yuffie to stand beside Jexebel. He leaned down and placed a chaste kiss on the corner of her eye. “How are you?”

“I’m okay. Yuffie kept me company this morning.” Jexebel said, leaning into him.

“Yeah.” Yuffie said, a little too defensive, “I was . . . keeping her mind off things.” ‘Helps that I wanted to hit her anyway.’ Her mind finished. One look at Vincent told her that he had read her mind. She only looked down, vaguely apologetic, it seemed.

“That was kind of you, Yuffie.” Vincent drawled.

“Miss Strange.” Came Shelke’s voice over the intercom, “Please report to the lab for further treatment.”

“Oh, I’d better go.” Jexebel said brightly, “See you later, Yuffie.” But as she turned away, Vincent could see the apprehension in her eyes.

“Do you want me to go with you? My meeting with Rufus isn’t until one and he did say he wanted to see you later on.” Vincent offered. Jexebel looked back at him, gratitude showing in her eyes.

“Thank you, Vincent.” She said.


“Okay Jexebel.” Shelke said, pulling a syringe out of the lab’s freezer. “This injection is not like the others. The other injections were to soften the Mako so that it could be dissolved. This injection is the first of seven you will need. It will begin dissolving the Mako, and I must warn you, it will be painful.”

“Painful?” Jexebel asked, guarded.

“The injection will . . . sting and . . . burn . . . immediately, but after that, the only thing you’ll have to deal with will be minor headaches.”

“And how intense will the pain of the injection be?” Vincent asked from Jexebel’s side at the table.

“I will probably have to strap you to the table.” Shelke answered.

Jexebel immediately stiffened and tried to get up from the table.

“No.” She said, panicked. “No. Vincent. Please! Don’t let her tie me down.” She turned and grabbed the front of his shirt and yanked him against her. She was shaking, hard.

“I cannot let you strap her down, Shelke. That’s what most of her dreams have been about.”

“She will have to be held immobile somehow.” Shelke said.

Jexebel let out a pitiful whimper.

“Hey.” Vincent said, peeling her off and forcing her to look at him. Once he was sure he had her attention he spoke again. “Do you trust me?”

Jexebel just looked at him, confused.

“Answer me. Do you trust me?” Vincent repeated.

She nodded hesitantly and said, “Yes, of course I do. Why?”

Vincent stood and walked behind her, grasping her upper arms in his strong hands and pulling her back against the table.

“What are you doing?!” Jexebel asked, struggling against the pressure.

“Trust me, Jexebel. You need this injection, and you can’t be strapped down. It’s alright. I’ll be right here.”

Jexebel let out a shaky breath and closed her eyes. For a moment she did nothing, just lay there in Vincent’s embrace, then she nodded to Shelke. “Do it.” She said.

Shelke lied. The injection was not painful. It was excruciating. Her very soul was burning. Her skin felt like it was being seared off as the serum worked its way through her veins. She screamed and arched her back, turning her head and biting the sleeve of Vincent’s shirt hard enough to rip it. She panted, writhing and squirming, trying to escape the pain. Vincent would not allow her to move. He held her down with inhuman strength, bowing his head close to hers and whispering softly.

“I’m sorry, Jexebel. I’m so sorry, love.”

Vaguely she recalled him saying something similar the night before, when he woke her from her nightmare. He called her his love then, and again just now . . .

The realization that he loved her – even if he didn’t come right out and say it – made the pain bearable. She relaxed her muscles and allowed the serum to do its job.

It was over in only bare minutes, but it seemed like eternity for Jexebel. She lay on the table panting in a cold sweat. Vincent’s arms were still wrapped tightly around her, stilling her through the occasional jerks when the serum flushed past a sensitive area.

She slowly sat up, and Vincent loosened his grip on her. She turned, sliding her legs over the edge of the table.

“Thank you.” She said to him. “And to you, too, Shelke. Thank you for doing this.”

“It is not a problem, Jexebel. I admire you. You took that well. I know how it feels.”

Jexebel nodded and stood, wobbling just slightly and thanking Vincent again when he wrapped his arms around her waist to steady her.

“Are you alright?” He asked. She looked at him and smiled brightly.

“I’m great.” She pulled away from him and very carefully walked towards the swinging doors. He raised an eyebrow in confusion. She winked at him and walked backwards out the door. Her voice rang out just as the doors closed.

“You called me ‘Love’.”

‘Oh my god you did.’ Vincent’s brain said.

His heart had no snappy response, much to Vincent’s delight, although he could clearly envision it doing the ‘happy dance’.


“Nice to see you’re feeling better, Miss Strange.” Rufus said. Jexebel and Vincent were now at the WRO meeting with Rufus, along with Vincent’s fellow Turks.

“Thank you, sir.” Jexebel said, smiling.

“Now, down to business. Reeve? The maps, please?” He said.

“Right.” Reeve said, pulling out a small disk. He slipped the disk into the wall and a large three-dimensional map was displayed in the room. “The mansion has three entrances. Here, here, and here.” He pointed out three different areas of the map. “We’ll need to defeat the soldiers stationed at the reactor, first, and then we send Vincent and Tseng into the Manor to flush out the main infantry. Once we have the reactor, our troops will join you at the manor and we will take the remaining soldiers. Now, our first wave will attack from grid one, the western trail. The second wave will come in from the east, blocking any possible retreat.” He paused to point out more locations. “We will have two more infantries waiting in the bunker below the reactor, in case we need backup. We are sorely outnumbered, though. There will be five-hundred men stationed at the reactor, and four-hundred more in the mansion. We cannot afford any casualties. Be cautious, be smart. The troops will arrive in two weeks and we can make our move. That should be all, for now, Mr. ShinRa.”

“Thank you, Mr. Tuesti.” Rufus said. “Now, when Vincent and Tseng go into the manor-”

“I want to go, too.” Jexebel said.

Rufus smiled softly. “Miss Strange. You probably know how uncomfortable I am pairing you with one of my Turks, until we can fix your . . . problem. However,” He started when she opened her mouth to protest, “If Miss Rui will clear you, then I will allow it, under one condition.”

“And that is?” Jexebel pressed.

“You sign on as an employee of ShinRa.”

“You mean swear in as a Turk.”

“Yes.”

Jexebel bowed her head. She was afraid he would say that. She sighed. Fine. Fine. For one more mission, she could be a soldier again. Whoa! Where did that come from?!

She made up her mind.

“Alright.” She said. The current Turks gasped, even Vincent.

“Very well. Get Shelke’s okay, and then come see me. I look forward to having you with us, Miss Strange.” With that, Rufus called an end to the meeting. Vincent pulled Jexebel aside and ushered her back to their room.

“Are we too late? Are you insane?!” He asked.

“Vincent, please.”

“No. I don’t want you going. It’s too dangerous.”

“Vincent!” Jexebel snapped, “Haven’t I proven already that I can take care of myself?! If what Shelke says is true, then I’m a hell of a lot better off than anyone here, save for maybe you and Chaos!” As soon as the words were out of her mouth, she regretted them.

“So you knew about . . .” He trailed off.

“I’m sorry Vincent. I didn’t know I knew until I said it.”

Vincent stepped closer and wrapped his arms around her. She leaned against his chest and sighed softly, slowly wrapping her arms around his waist. “I’m sorry.” She said again.

“Don’t be sorry.” Vincent whispered against her hair. “We’ll get this fixed. When all the Mako is gone, you won’t have to do this anymore. You’ll just be Jexebel Strange, from Bone Village.” He tried to sound reassuring.

“But what if that doesn’t happen? What if I become ‘Jexebel Strange, Tsviet’ all over again?” Jexebel worried.

“It won’t matter. Either way, you are you. That’s all there is to it.”

Vincent couldn’t believe it. He was actually COMFORTING someone. Embracing someone.

Loving again.

‘You’re going to get hurt.’ His brain stated.

‘It’s too late to go back, now.’

‘It will kill you.’

‘Yes.’

‘So why don’t you just get away? YOU be the one to leave.’

‘I can’t hurt her like that.’

‘Idiot.’

“Vincent?” Jexebel said, waving her fingers in front of his face.

“Sorry.” He said, shaking his head to rid himself of the melancholy thoughts.

“Where do you go, when you go off like that?” she asked.

“I was just… thinking. It’s nothing.”

Jexebel turned away from him. “You’ll turn away from me.” She said.

“What are you talking about?” Vincent asked, trying to pull her around to face him.

“If this doesn’t work. I know you think I planned this. You think I’m some spy sent to ‘get’ you.”

“Jexebel, I don’t thi-“

“Yes you do! I saw it in your eyes that night in Edge! And then when you pointed your gun in my face, and then when we were in Nibelheim! I know you think that way!”

“Jexebel, I’m only worried about you. I don’t want anything to happen to you. That’s why I don’t want you to go with us to Nibelheim.” Vincent stressed.

“Well I’m going.” She was like stone.

“Jexebel, please. If you MUST go, go with Reeve and the WRO. Don’t sign on with Rufus. Don’t be like me. He will never let you go. If you sign on as a Turk, you will always be a Turk. You can never leave. The only reason I got off for as long as I did is because they thought ‘Vincent Valentine, the Turk’ was dead. When they realized that I was THE Vincent Valentine, they came for me. At the time, it was alright, I needed a purpose, anyway, but now, if I tried to leave, they would find a way to make me stay. I don’t want you tied down like that.” He explained.

“And what of the Tsviets? It’s the same, and Shelke left! If Shelke is right, then they tried to kill me! I’m a big girl, Vincent.”

“Please don’t, Jexebel.” He said quietly.

“Vincent-“

“Please.”

That was it, the pleading in his voice. She sighed and walked to the bed. After a moment, she nodded minutely.

Vincent sighed in relief and walked behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and nuzzling her neck. “Thank you.” He breathed. He trailed his up her neck and sucked her earlobe into his mouth, flicking it with his tongue.

Jexebel shivered and leaned back against him. She couldn’t bear it anymore. She knew how he felt. Vincent wasn’t the type to assign a silly pet name. When he called her ‘Love’ he had to mean it. She had to tell him.

“I love you.” Jexebel said, turning in his arms to look into beautiful crimson eyes that were suddenly wide with surprise.

“Jexebel . . .” Vincent said. His mouth continued to move but his voice refused to supply sound.

“It’s okay, Vincent. You don’t have to say anything. I know how you feel. I just wanted to tell you . . . I love you too.”

Vincent smiled warmly and pulled her tight against him. He was happier now than he had been in his entire life. Even before Lucrecia. To think, that a woman like Jexebel could come along and knock him right off of his ridiculous gold boots . . . He loved her so much, and it hit him on so many levels that she could actually love him back.

Someday. Someday, he would tell her. For now, he’d just have to show her, instead. He pushed her away from him long enough to rid her of her clothing, and then he pushed her down onto the bed, flattening himself against her. He braced himself on his elbows and leaned in for a soft kiss.

Jexebel would not allow him to be gentle with her. She caught his bottom lip between her teeth and bit down, hard, shivering again when he let out a feral growl. He ripped his mouth from hers and sat up on his heels. With agonizing slowness he peeled his shirt from his body, growling with frustration when he realized that he would have to get up to take his pants off. Or maybe not.

“How fond are you of your pants, Vincent?” Jexebel asked seductively.

“Not extremely, they are pants. Why?” He asked, confused and amused at the same time.

She said nothing, just reached for his thighs. The next thing he heard was a loud ripping sound as she literally ripped his pants off of him. He chuckled and cocked an eyebrow.

“Anxious?” Vincent asked. His answer was her pink tongue when she stuck it out at him. He growled and leaned down, capturing the slick organ gently between his teeth. She let out a soft moan and reached for his shaft, stroking with tight, quick strokes, aiming to bring him to erection quickly.

He jerked and groaned, resting his forehead against hers. His hand covered hers at his fast-growing erection and slowed her down. “Careful…” he warned. He didn’t want this to be over before they even got started. He removed his hand from hers and his fingers found her heat, stroking gently against her clit. She sighed into his mouth, wrapping her legs around his waist.

Vincent lowered his head and latched onto Jexebel’s neck, sucking a vivid purple bruise into existence. He slid his mouth down her neck to her chest, parting his lips again and taking a pert nipple into his mouth.

His tongue was like hot velvet against her skin. It had been better than a week sinse the last time they were able to be together, and Jexebel was in frenzy. Finally having told him how she felt only intensified the sensations coursing through her body. She nudged him, indicating that she wanted to roll over and he complied, rolling until she was on top of him straddling his stomach.

Vincent let out a hissing breath when he felt Jexebel’s wet center rest against his abdomen. “Jexebel…” he breathed. She lifted herself up and ground against his erection. She kissed him to muffle the loud groan of appreciation she earned.

“Now, Jexebel. Now.” Vincent moaned against her lips.

Jexebel lifted her hips, using her hands to position his erection, and slid down. She only stopped when he was sheathed inside her completely, so deep that it almost hurt. He bucked against her when she stopped moving and she cried out, falling onto her hands and pushing against him again.

She moved her hips against him rhythmically and kissed him again, letting her tongue slide across his lip, teasing. He sat up slightly, trying to catch the offending appendage between his lips. Jexebel pressed her hands against his scarred chest and pushed him hard into the mattress before kissing him fully. Vincent trailed his hands up her back and then grabbed her upper arms, holding her in place. They stayed like that for a long while, just breathless kisses and panting moans, until Jexebel felt the chords pulling tighter. She sat up and raised herself up, slamming herself down on him again; delighting at the near-scream it dragged from him.

Vincent placed his hands on Jexebel’s hips and she leaned back, bracing herself on his legs and thrusting against him harder and faster. As he neared his peak, he tightened his grip on her hips, crossing his legs and sitting up. He coaxed her legs around his waist and began to thrust up into her, and hard and fast as his body would take him. He bowed his head and once again took a straining nipple into his mouth, pulling Jexebel tighter against him when he heard her moan.

“I love you, Vincent!” She said. He paused. Though she had just said it only moments before, it still shocked him to hear her say it again. She whimpered and bounced against him when he stopped, trying to get him to move again. He did, this time with more strength and speed, her words giving him more than he needed to achieve his climax. He held her against him with one arm, still suckling that perfect nipple, while with the other he stroked her clit.

Jexebel felt the strings of her orgasm release, and she arched her back, writhing with the sensations. Vaguely, she heard herself proclaim her love for Vincent once more before slumping against him.

Vincent stiffened as he felt Jexebel’s inner walls clench his shaft. He knew it was coming. He ripped his mouth from her breast and buried his face in the valley between them to muffle his own cry of completion as he jerked out of rhythm, shuddering against her. He smiled and allowed one final thrust when he heard her say she loved him yet again.

Vincent lifted Jexebel off of him and laid her gently on the bed. He lay down beside her and curled his body against her, resting his head in the crook of her neck. He lay there for a long while, just listening to her heartbeat.

“Don’t you have another meeting with Tseng today?” Jexebel asked softly, running her fingers through his silky black locks.

“It can wait. Just…lay with me for a while?”

Jexebel smiled and stretched to place a sweet kiss against his hair.

“Okay.”