One Last Story ( part 1)

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Chapter 8













Cloud is quite relieved to return to the airship later that evening.  Though, it was fun to listen to Zack’s parents talk about the past.   Now the visit must end for their sake and the airship has more beds for their use.   The first thing Cloud does is ask where Cid and Vincent.   Learns that Cid is in his personal captain’s chambers and Vincent is in the clinic.  Apparently, Cid had to carry Vincent there and the Gunman is now resting.



Cloud feels little guilty about not walking Vincent to the airship.  Till the issue of this legion is over, they all decide to share a room.  Kinda like sharing a room with a brother and his girlfriend though no hanky panky happens.   In the morning, Fianna seems in better spirits.  Cloud decidedly didn’t want to think what Legion plans her.  Not for the time being.  They still needed to group and decide what to do next.   Cid decides breakfast will be a good time for them to have a meeting.  



Cloud, between some bites of toast, “  How is Vincent?   Is he still in the clinic? “



Cid mumbles, “Hmmm? Yeah, Vincent will be fine. “  



Cloud, “ Okay...  So lets get the meeting started. “



Cid then sets up a lap top and has them scoot close to him at the end, so they all can see the screen for a video conference.   Reeve is on his end, cup of coffee near hand or cup of something.  



Reeve asks politely, “ What's the news? “ 



Cid, “ There was a run in with our third ‘ friend ‘ yesterday.   It went after Fianna.   Unfortunately, it alluded  Vincent’s attempts to track it. “



Reeve looks to Fianna, “ Who is this person and why do you think he wants you? “



Fianna, “ His name is Legion.  Legion thinks I’m his partner...  but I don’t understand what it wants.  Just that it wants me.”



Cid blurts out the obvious, “ OH... he wants to fuck her.  “



Zack, just under his breath, “ Who wouldn’t? “   



Fianna goes red in the face.  Her knowledge of Sex must be very limited.  Cloud is taken back by how crude and blunt Cid is right now.



Cid, “ Look like we have someone who’s a bigger virgin then Cloud. “



Cloud doesn’t find that remotely funny, “ I’m not a virgin. “  Cid gives him a look, either means he doesn’t care or doesn’t believe him.  



Reeve coughs politely into his hand, puzzled at Cid’s more then grumpy attitude but not wishing to pursue it, “ What else did we learn about this Legion? “



Cid, “ Confirmed he likes to steal other people’s clothes.  They found a dead village who had their clothes looted.  The guy uses chemicals.   From Pheromones to poisons.  He got Vincent with a cocktail mixture. “



Cloud didn’t know it was that bad!   Is Vincent really okay?  Why didn’t Cid fill him in on that?  Maybe he was ust saving the info so he won’t have to repeat himself?   Cloud still feels annoyed he is left out of the loop sometimes.  



Reeve voicing his concern, “ Will Vincent be okay? “



Cid nods and smiles, for the first time that morning, even f its only a little, “ Yeah, just needs to rest.  The guy is pretty tough for a toothpick. “



Vincent seems to recovering, surprisingly quick, walks in hearing the last bit.  For a pale man, his face flushes with embarrassment, eyes looking with guilt when he sees Cid.  Then the gunman leaves the galley as suddenly as he arrived.



Cid, “ Vin!” Pauses to cuss under his breath, “ Carry on without me, guys. “ and hurries after the gunman.  



Zack waits till Cid is gone, “ Are they...  married? “



Cloud looks at Zack in shock now, “ No..  no!  Cid has a wife. “



Zack has to press it with a teasing grin, “ They call that a beard. “



Reeve, “ Gentlemen...  enough.  “  hand to his temple as if he has a headache now.



Fianna, “ What do we do now? “  her eyes still so innocent.  



Cloud,  “ I’m certain that this Legion has other plans besides mating. “



Reeve,  “ Yes, till we find out, we can only guess.  We have other issues.  There is a base up north.  One that has not been active since...  well,  since you and Zack were there in a mission. ”



Cloud sighs softly, “ Don’t tell me, its near Icicle Town?”



Zack lights up, “ That's the mission we first met!  Awesome!  “



Cloud smiles at Zack recalling that is a good part of that memory.  It also ended terrible for Zack though.  Wonders if Zack remembers that's when  Angeal First class died.  



Cloud, “ We’ll head there now. “



---



Cid easily caught up to Vincent, knowing the layout of his own airship like the back of his hand.  Grabs Vincent’s shoulders with a firm but gentle grip.



Cid grumps, “ Where are you going?  You missed the meeting and made me actually have to stay awake. “



Vincent, “ ...  I’m sorry, Highwind.  “



Cid hates it when Vincent gets so formal, “ You remember anything? “



Vincent shakes his head, “ I remember nothing past the kiss.  It was as if ...  “



Cid sighs  as he scratches the back of his neck, “ You were under the affects of a pheromone and poison cocktail, Dumbass.  You know, Cloud is suppose to be the only one  going on fuckin' guilt trips these days. “



Vincent turns to Cid with anxiety in his eyes, “ Did I do anything?  Did I hurt you?  If I did, how could you ever forgive me. “



Cid laughs, “ Vincent, you are my best friend. It doesn’t matter.  God damn, you are so fucking emo but I guess that's one of the reasons I love ya, man! “  And just laughs as he walks off.  



Vincent following now, “ ... You didn’t answer my question.  “  Annoyance at being his question brushed off like that.  It was an important question.



Cid pauses only a moment to say this, “ Sorry, can’t hear you.  We got to see if our brave leaders decided our next move. “  



They return, in time for the conference to be over.  Not that Cid really likes to sit through them all that much.  He just wants to know the plan.



Cid, “ So where to? “



Cloud, “ We are off to Modeoheim for now. “



Cid in a much better mood now that the caffeine is finally working for him, “ Excellent!  Lets get the hell out of this place! “  



Vincent hangs back a bit watching Cid walk.  As Cid heads into the bridge, Vincent pulls Cloud aside.



Vincent, “ ...  Is Highwind walking a little funnier then normal? “



Cloud, “ ...  I have no idea. “  Nor does he want to watch how the pilot walks.  Mostly, whatever their doing, he doesn’t want to know.  Ever.













TBC