A Rose By Any Other Name

  *

  Vincent stared at the wall ahead for a span of five deliberate and deep breaths before shifting his focus to the door. Since the evening of her first request to stay with her, tensions had escalated, with each day a greater challenge than the last. Today the promise of channeling their feelings into a night of shared passion and intimacy threatened to devour him. His only hope for survival was escape.

  He navigated his way through the basement and mansion to the late morning sunshine. A heated argument drew his focus: Cloud and Natalie. Dread swelled as Vincent approached, for he could see the tell-tale flush of rage and--she slapped him, the sound echoing in the sudden silence, and then stalked away.

  Cloud held his cheek as he blinked after her. "What the hell got in to her?" Cloud looked to Vincent. "She wanted me to tell you I didn't need your help. But how could I do that when we need all the help we can get? Besides, I didn't know you were actually planning on coming with us! I thought--Oh, hell, I don't know what I thought. Next thing I know she's yelling at me that I'm ruining her life and I should just leave you alone because I already have Tifa." Cloud stretched out his hands. "Can you please tell me what I did? What the hell is going on?"

  "I told her I was going to Rocket Town to help you and Cid with the generator." Perhaps he would have been better served to simply go?

  "But what about your cure?"

  "Natalie needs the time to study anatomy and procedures of surgery."

  Cloud opened his mouth and then shook his head, mumbling "I don't understand anything anymore," before he strode toward Tifa's house.

  Vincent stared after him--a door slammed, at the inn, and Vincent shifted his attention to Cid. The engineer stalked toward him, his features as hard as granite and his gaze as black as death. Yet another casualty to Natalie's temper.

  "Vincent, I need to have a word with you." Cid's voice was calmness itself.

  Rarely had he seen the engineer in any mood other than irritated. It did not bode well to the state of the man's internal rage. "What is it?"

  "Your scientist friend nearly took my head off with a chair." Cid removed his cap to indicate a fresh cut oozing blood. He replaced his cap and took a long drag on his cigarette. He blew it out just as slowly. "Do you mind telling me why she's acting pissier than a cat in heat?"

  "It will pass."

  "Oh I know it'll pass," Cid said, his voice still dangerously calm. "But it better pass before I lose my patience, or she's liable to find herself over my knee with a sore behind." He stalked away.

  Vincent looked up to the second story window of the inn just as there sounded a crash and long growl punctuated by a high-pitched, feline yowl. It rang similar in pitch to Red being trod upon.

  "Natalie." Vincent released a long breath before making his way toward the inn. Red limped down the stairs, nursing his left front leg. "What happened?"

  Red cleared his throat--he seemed embarrassed--and hobbled past Vincent toward the exit. "My fault. I asked the wrong question at entirely the wrong time." When Vincent continued his progress through the main lobby and toward the stairs, Red offered, "Vincent, I don't believe it would be wise to disturb her at the moment."

  "It is my fault." He understood well her frustration, but there could be no surrender to desires this time.

  "Perhaps so, but it would still be best to allow her time to cool her temper."

  Vincent hesitated, looking toward the crest of the stairs while experiencing a pull upon his heart and soul. Had a woman ever been so able to affect him? To draw him as if controlled by strings? He inclined his head and turned, persuading his steps to follow Red from the inn. He cringed when another crash shattered the silence. "Red--"

  "It will pass, Vincent. Believe it or not, it will pass."

  Vincent said nothing. Instead, he continued toward the well where Cid and Cloud waited. Cloud sported a pronounced hand-print on his cheek, and a fresh bandage peeked from under Cid's cap. Vincent cast a glance over his shoulder toward the inn's upper window as the curtain closed. He clenched his jaw and shifted back. No, he did not want to leave her in such a rage, but how he could he remain when knew the temptation already threatened to overwhelm him? If he went to her now, there would be no further resistance.

  "It won't take too long to get it built, because I have all the parts in my workshop," Cid was saying. "Once we get it running, we can route the cable to here and see about synchronizing the generators to produce enough power for one or two other towns."

  "Sounds good," Cloud said with a nod.

  Vincent said nothing.

  "I don't know how accessible the geothermal power is in Rocket Town. All I know is the damn stuff is there."

  Cloud gave a brusque nod. "We'll find it."

  Vincent could feel her gaze and the draw. He could sense the agony and confusion, the frustration as she tried to reason herself from the illusion of a growing distance between them. He frowned, lowering his gaze to the packed earth beneath his boots. Is that what he chose? Distance? Did he truly believe this escape his only course? Fleeing the temptation. Running from the desire. Strengthening the barrier he had long since raised around his heart and soul--"I cannot go."

  The group blinked at him.

  "What?" Cid asked first. "What the hell do you mean?"

  Vincent focused on Cloud. The ex-SOLDIER's mouth quirked in a smile before he gave a brief nod. Vincent shifted his focus to the engineer. "I have unfinished business."

  "I bet you do." Cid intercepted the glares of the other three and scoffed before striding from town without another word.

  "Good luck," Cloud said. "You'll need it, I think." He gave Tifa one last embrace before following after the engineer.

  Red regarded Vincent a long moment before giving a shake of his head. "Farewell, everyone. I'm off to Cosmo Canyon to see about a source of power there. Wish me luck."

  "Bye, Red. Good luck." Tifa faced Vincent. "Is there anything I can do?"

  He stared up at the second story window. He could almost hear her tears. "I don't know."

  "This is the tough part in a relationship, Vincent. Don't give up. Don't try and hide from your feelings, either. It won't help. As you can see." Vincent met her gaze. She smiled. "I'm not saying you should go back on what you decided. Just . . . just don't worry about that. I understand where you're coming from, as much as someone could who isn't you, and I really think it's wonderful. She does too, I bet. It's just a little too hard right now. She probably feels like she's about ready to blow up and doesn't know how to vent." Tifa laughed. "Poor Cloud."

  "How do I help her?"

  "Talking about it in a public place always helps. That way you don't have to worry about that quick detour to the bed." Tifa flushed. "I've nearly done that a couple times myself. Believe me. It's easy to do. But, unfortunately, you really need to deal with this before you can move on. I know it feels like you've already dealt with this and you're going around in circles. Or maybe you don't know why you just don't give her what she wants? That's the decision you both need to make. Once it's made, it's made. You can't go back."

  "I know."

  "Yeah, I know you do." She rested a hand on his shoulder and gave it a squeeze. "Just remember to listen and hear what she's saying. Okay?" He inclined his head. "Good luck, Vincent."

  He shifted his gaze to the second story window, breathed deep, and stepped toward the entrance.