Author's Note: Wow, we're back! Sort of. Real life gets in the way sometimes. And how Nat and I loathe it. Grrarg. The next updates I can't predict, but we're going to try our best. But we've been working on more of the tale, thanks especially to the folks who have read and reviewed. You guys make us so happy! It's great to know there are folks out there who are genuinely interested in our work and appreciate it as much as we do.

To the fantastic emails, comments and reviews, we give a heartfelt thank you from the bottom of our creative muses, you guys are awesome. ) Just for the fans, here is the next installment of Beginnings; I most sincerely hope you enjoy the reading.

Sibilant Macabre

Disclaimer and Warning: We don't own it, as stated before. Note the changed rating for there is adult content in this chapter as well. Ye've been warned.

Chapter Twenty:

Tifa:

Coherency returned slowly, then blossomed into full wakefulness with the muscle spasms across Tifa's lower stomach. She gasped in pain and blinked open wide eyes only to squench them closed again. Reality returned and memory blazed across her closed lids. Heaven's opening. Vincent. Dancing with Vincent. Making love with Vincent.

Oh. That's why things were a bit out of sorts this morning. Reality was solidified as she realized she wasn't alone in her bed. Soft warm air breathed against her neck and she carefully tilted her head, seeing her bartender still holding her close. His right arm was draped across her stomach and Vincent's nose rested against her jaw, his breathing still deep and even. Although they'd undoubtedly slept close and beneath her covers since falling asleep, now that Tifa was awake, she was getting a bit warm. Vincent hogged covers, but he also generated enough heat to run a furnace. Besides, she needed to get up and get breakfast started. What time was it anyway? Carefully, Tifa maneuvered from beneath Vincent's possessive hold, nearly gasping at the realization it was almost eleven in the morning! Blessed Planet…!

Quietly, as not to disturb the slumbering gunslinger, Tifa tossed on her robe, ignoring her protesting muscles and, without thinking of her general dishevelment, hurried from her bedroom to the kitchen, only to stop and stare at a placid Nanaki, sitting in his divan with tail swishing lazily.

"Good morning, Tifa," the cat said conversationally. Tifa only blinked. "I trust you slept well?" Red cordially asked.

Recovering her speech faculties finally, Tifa managed to answer. "Um…I did, thanks." Her brows quirked in puzzlement. There were used coffee cups in the sink and leftover brew in the coffee maker.

"…Red?" she asked slowly, stepping to the kitchen's bar counter.

Feline ears lifted in query.

"Where is everyone?" she asked.

Nanaki flowed from his divan, padding into the kitchen and sitting on his haunches.

"Gone to lunch," he replied. At her puzzled gaze, he chuckled and explained. "Due to the…circumstances last night, what with you and Vincent being up so very late, working, Barret proposed to take everyone for a late breakfast this morning, to let you get your rest. I remained, of course, as I have little use for restaurants in general." The cat's head inclined. "And to let you know when you awoke." Red's lips rippled in a feline grin. "They've not been gone very long, I believe. And knowing how the men eat, it will be a few hours before they return." Nanaki rose to his feet and turned with feline grace. "Now that you are awake, I believe I shall take a lope about town for a bit of exercise."

Tifa, who'd remained immobile in the middle of the kitchen, fought a hot blush as Red's good eye closed in a sly wink towards her. "Enjoy the morning, Tifa. You've earned it, methinks." Another purred growl and the large feline sauntered from the house.

It took Tifa a moment to digest all this. Good Gaia, had anyone heard, last night? Fire colored her cheeks as she realized that yes, someone probably had. She automatically made fresh coffee and bit her lip, recalling that Barret had been bunking in the office, which was near her bedroom. She put a hand to her forehead and groaned. Godlings. Well, there was no help for it now and she'd be damned before she regret it. A soft smile graced her lips. Indeed, she recalled with shivering memory, there was nothing to regret.

Tifa poured two cups of the black liquid, doctored hers and brought both back to her bedroom, placing Vincent's cup on the bedside table and sat down on the edge of the bed beside him, silently sipping her coffee and waiting for him to wake.

Vincent:

Vincent was pulled from pleasant slumber not by the intermittent sunlight that seeped through tiny cracks in the draperies, but by the strong smell of freshly brewed coffee. It'd been tickling at his nostrils for a while now, but with it now in the room with him, he could resist no longer. Red eyes opened halfway and blinked in a lazy manner beneath tousled bangs.

As his gaze settled on Tifa, he smiled in a manner that matched the lethargy remaining in his body, face blushing just the slightest as last night's events came rushing back to the forefront of his thoughts. Dreams had been enough to ensure that those memories were never far, to begin with. With her hair still disheveled and her skin somehow retaining last night's glow, he thought she was even more beautiful than all the mornings before.

Reaching for the coffee she'd made for him, he greeted her while fighting a yawn. He hadn't slept like that in memory. "Good morning." His voice retained that low, rough quality as he continued after sitting up enough to take a sip. "Did you sleep as well as I did?" He was almost smirking.

Tifa:

Tifa sipped her coffee, then placed her cup on the bedside table, a doofy smile on her lips. "I did," she answered with a soft chuckle. "I take it my mattress is comfy?" she twinkled at him. Having run out of things to say, she just glanced at her toes, playing in the cream carpet and focused on braiding her fingers together. Awkward didn't begin to cover it. Although nothing was wrong, Tifa really didn't know how to go about these things. Despite the flaming passion and roiling desire of only a few hours before, the brightness of day put things in a complete new light.

Vincent:

"Hn," he nodded in agreement, "I had the most comfortable pillow, as well." Another smile that faded slightly as he watched her study her hands, the floor, anything. Well, he couldn't blame her; it was a big change from every morning before that.

He let the silence hang thick in the air until about halfway through his cup of coffee, when he set it back on the nightstand and swung his legs over the side of the bed to sit beside her, the coverlet still hiding his lap out of the habit of dignity. He placed one arm around her shoulders and found himself wishing they were still bare... along with the rest of her. She didn't look as though she was having morning-after regrets, for which he was exceedingly thankful. It was just a matter of not knowing what to say. Mundane things were always a decent starting point, the gunslinger-turned-bartender thought.

"Have you had anything to eat yet? I don't hear anyone downstairs..."

Tifa:

Tifa smiled to his "pillow" remark, giving him a furtive glance from beneath her lashes. She couldn't help but cuddle beneath his arm, however, leaning against him. Shaking her head, she said, "No, I'm not really that hungry." She paused for a minute, then said, "Everyone went out for breakfast this morning." Brown eyes narrowed. "I suspect good intentions," she said with a mock scowl.

"What I'd really like is a shower." The banter from Costa del Sol niggled at her mind, making her bite her lower lip. And good Planet as much as she'd like to share it, how did one go about asking? Tifa chewed her lip some more. Getting up, she drifted towards the bathroom, pulling at the robe's tie as she went. Glancing in the spacious lavatory, she suddenly half-grinned and quipped, "This one's more than big enough, I think."

Vincent:

He grinned as he watched her saunter towards the bathroom, remembering all too well the movements that supple body was capable of. When she'd mentioned needing a shower, the very first thing in his mind was bathing with her, reveling in the way their wet bodies slid against each other as he pinned her against the wall and... He had to stop that line of thought, though it was in vain once her robe fell open and pooled on the floor around her ankles. "Even if it weren't... I think we could make do," he mused as he stood and followed her once he heard the water running. No one was home, they had nothing to do for hours, and he wasn't really hungry either. There seemed nothing better to do than finally follow through with that tease from some months ago.

Tifa:

Tifa opened the shower door and turned the water on, eagerly looking forward to the hot water's steamy caress. Goosebumps shivered over bare skin as the mist from the stream sprinkled over her arm. She closed the door to let the water continue to warm and turned to see Vincent casually strolling towards the bathroom, seemingly not bothered by either of their blatantly undressed state.

Tifa, however, couldn't help but stare. Granted, she was now a bit more familiar with the male flesh so vividly displayed, but she was sure the generous serving of lean musculature coupled with sinfully black hair and smoldering crimson eyes would continue to render her speechless for many days, and nights, to come. The scars and imperfections that marred Vincent's body only added to his darkly devilish beauty, to Tifa's mind. He strode towards her, a curious slight smile on those mobile lips and Tifa felt herself blushing hotly again. Had she been more sure of herself, had this not been such a new and different situation for them both, Tifa felt she might have met him in the bathroom door, put both arms around him and ravished him right on the tile floor.

But before she could untangle either her tongue or her fingers to attempt just that, the doorbell chime sounded from downstairs. Tifa blinked. Saturday morning. The grocery delivery. Damnit! Vile epithets coursed through her brain. But it couldn't be helped. Grimacing, she heaved a sigh and said after clearing her throat, "Groceries. It's Saturday."

Quickly gathering up her robe, she clutched it tightly and gave him a winsome smile, accompanied by a soft longing kiss, one slim hand pressed lightly over his scarred heart. "Don't worry," she breathed against his lips with a grin, "won't take long. I'll be right back." Slipping the robe on hurriedly, Tifa tied it and quickly descended the stairs into the kitchen, where the deliveryman waited with patience of the near immortal.

Vincent:

Just as she had been admiring him, Vincent had been taking in every amazing detail of Tifa's body. The daylight that made its way in between the blinds and curtains played on her soft skin with a glow completely different from last night. Planet, but she was beautiful...

The interruption of the doorbell caused him to frown, then sigh as she snatched up her robe. "All right," was all he could say as she rushed downstairs to answer the door and receive the delivery. Normally, he'd have gone down with her to take inventory, but on a morning like this, following what had to be the best night of his life thus far, he could not give a damn. He hoped she didn't, either, for the sooner she was back upstairs and out of that robe, the better.

Vincent walked to the shower and turned the water off, to save on hot water. It wouldn't likely run out on them... but better safe than to risk ruining a nice shower by having the water turn cold. And Vincent did not plan on a short session, either.

His mind wandered to images of her, of him pressing her against the shower wall, taking her with her legs wrapped tight around his waist and the heat of the water steaming off their bodies... He decided to stop that line of thought for the moment. Instead, since no one else was in the house, he took the chance to wrap a towel around his waist and slip into the hallway, making his way to his room. He pulled some clothes out of the closet, bundled them under one arm and returned to her room. Best to not come out of Tifa's room naked when the others were present, should they return before he and Tifa had gotten clean. And sated. The latter somehow seemed a little more important than the former.

After all... there were years to catch up on, for him at least. He laid the clothes on her bed and sat on the edge, waiting patiently.

Tifa:

Why couldn't the man move a bit more quickly? Teeth worried Tifa's lower lip as she fidgeted anxiously, eyes constantly straying upstairs. But she gave the man an automatic smile as he bustled to and fro, depositing the boxes on the kitchen's neat floor. "Where you want the cold stuff, Miss Lockheart?" he asked genially. He blinked. "Miss Lockheart?" he asked again, eyeing her a bit.

Tifa came back to reality with a blink and replied, "Yes? Oh, I'm so sorry, right there by the freezer, thanks."

The man shook his head in amusement, doubtless he'd routed Miss Tifa out of bed and apparently she had her mind on other things, judging from her disheveled state and absent gaze. He chuckled as he unloaded the last of the boxes and wheeled them inside. "Them's the last, Miss Lockheart," he said, producing the invoice from a shirt pocket and offering her a pen. Tifa quickly took the paper and scrawled her signature across it, handing him both back and receiving the bottom copy. The delivery man doffed his cap genially and she closed and locked the door behind him then merely opened the freezer door and pushed the cold-labeled boxes inside and closing it hurriedly.

Taking the stairs two at a time, she ran upstairs and hustled to her bedroom, stopping for a regulating breath before going inside. Brushing disheveled hair back from her face, she inhaled and exhaled deeply and evenly, marshalling her courage and turned the knob. Within she spied Vincent, sitting comfortably on the edge of the bed. The sickeningly sweet feeling of tingling lust fluttered low in her stomach, looking at him.

Not missing the first beat, Tifa marched to him and threw a leg over his lap, straddling his thighs. Her robe bunched but she didn't rightly care. Arms resting atop Vincent's slender shoulders, Tifa planted a quick kiss to his lips, pulling back to smirk brightly. "I'm back, dear," she said with a giggle.

Vincent:

As she plopped ever so casually onto his lap, Vincent raised one brow at her, but did not smile. She had taken, according to her bedside clock, exactly fifteen minutes and forty-seven seconds. About fifteen minutes, seventeen seconds too long, in his opinion. He looked her up, then down, then declared in a serious tone, "I believe you're overdressed. That won't do."

Without preamble, one hand quickly had her belt undone, then the other ran up her back to pull the fabric down from the neckline. It parted and slid off her shoulders without a fuss, and as it pooled onto the floor, he finally allowed a small smile to form. "Much better. Now...I believe there was a challenge made some months ago regarding a shower, Miss Lockheart." He leaned forward to press a warm kiss to her throat, a caress of lips and tongue that traveled upward and ended at her ear with a whisper, "Can't have you going around smelling like sex..."

For his part, he was almost content to smell exactly like that. There was no better scent to be covered in, than hers. So it was propriety and cleanliness so much as renewed lust that motivated him to stand, holding her up by her thighs, and walk them back into the bathroom. And Gaia help anyone who interrupted this time.

Tifa:

Tifa faltered at his serious tone, but a spark of humor lit her eyes as he divested her of the cumbersome robe. Gladly she let it fall, shivering in delight at Vincent's touch. Ripples of desire flitted over her skin as he nuzzled and licked her, making her moan throatily and sway against him. "Oh, Vincent," she breathed as her head fell back eagerly.

Trembling fingers curled in thick midnight hair, reveling in the cool softness against her hands. She squealed and clutched him a bit tighter as he stood, lifting her, but she blushed hotly to his whispered comment. Truly, it just wouldn't do, that. But in all honesty, Tifa didn't see what was so bad about it. Her knees trembled a bit as he set her on the floor, the tile cool beneath her feet.

Loath to relinquish her hold, Tifa reluctantly turned and opened the shower door, turning the water back on and quickly getting in, gasping as the warm stream hit her skin, splashing her chest and running down her body. Turning her back to the wall and facing the door, Tifa cocked a naughty hip and gave her bartender a siren's smile. "Well, Vincent?" she said huskily. "I'm waiting…"

Vincent:

She didn't have to wait long. Already fully aroused, Vincent stepped into the shower and slid the door closed behind him. He turned to her and stood close, but didn't touch, despite his obvious desire. The hot water caused hypersensitive flesh to ripple and tense, waiting until his skin adjusted to the heat. He didn't really notice, though, he was too busy paying attention to the pink tint the warmth gave to her skin, and the way her nipples drew to tight buds.

With the sort of self control that should be legendary, Vincent reached for the lavender body wash and the fluffy sponge instead of reaching for those glorious breasts. He worked a thick lather over the sponge then stared into her eyes, crimson darkening with the haze of want. "Turn around," he instructed. When she had, he used his left hand - still covered by the ever-present and thankfully water-proof glove - to brush her long hair aside, laying it over her shoulder. Then he applied the soapy sponge in slow, deliberate circles, firm but gentle as his left hand now slid down her side and settled on her hip.

As he bathed her, he stepped closer, bringing her body against his once her back was slippery with the lovely lavender wash. He groaned softly into her ear as his erection pressed between them, and he took a moment to relish the sensation of skin sliding against skin so slickly... something completely new to him. His right hand worked the sponge over her front now, starting at her belly and wandering up to her breasts where he lingered, his left hand helping. His lips and teeth nipped at her neck and shoulder, broken by husky breaths and whispers.

"You kept me waiting..." He was referring to far more than the grocery delivery. "Yearning." For months. "Wanting you..." So badly. "And it was worth every minute, and more." With a gentle tug of her hair he tilted her head back and with her face toward him and kissed her deeply, slow and heated. His other hand still wreaked sinful havoc on her body, drifting from her breasts to her stomach and finally between her thighs.

Tifa:

Brown eyes blinked as the shower door closed. Tifa fully expected to be ravaged, so intense was the concentration writ upon Vincent's countenance. And it surprised her a bit as she realized her disappointment as she wasn't, but instead was soaped generously with delicious smelling body wash. Which was made even more luscious due to Vincent's hands smoothing it over her tingling skin.

One hand braced against the slick wall to keep her standing upright, the other clenched at her side but opened and sought pale flesh behind her, fingers brushing Vincent's hip. But a throaty moan escaped her as Vincent stepped closer, groaning at her ear. Tifa couldn't help but rub against him, body sinuously sliding against his, acutely aware of the throbbing flesh between them. Soft sighs mingled with his name panted from parted lips as those killing hands roamed over her stomach and breasts, the heavy aching flesh pressing into his palms as her back arched.

Tifa shivered as he nipped at her, moaning in wantonness, hands reaching behind her to grasp his hips, rolling her own against his. Unable to form coherent words to answer, she whimpered as he kissed her, their tongues mingling hot and heated between fused lips. The taste of him was intoxicating. Tifa was mildly surprised the water hadn't reached a roiling boil from the steam between them; she knew her blood was indeed afire. The desperate need for air parted their lips and Tifa inhaled shakily, only to gasp and buck against his hand as devilish fingers delved low on her flaming body.

"Vincent…" she panted, head turning so her mouth could latch to his throat, teeth voraciously nipping the slick skin, soothed by slow laps of her tongue. One brazen hand drifted further between them and long wet fingers curled around hot heavy flesh, fingernails gently assailing the sensitive skin as she slid continuously along his strong lithe body.

Vincent:

When her hand gripped him, he nearly lost all willpower and gave into the urge to simply fuck her, until one or both of them could no longer stand and were left a satisfied puddle of flesh on the shower floor. Yet amazingly, that last shred of control held fast enough for him to only moan her name and delve questing fingers further between her folds, the sponge now switched to his left hand. The water and soap on the rest of her body was not nearly as slick as the liquid that met his hand, and he took wicked delight in coaxing more of the same from her. His index and middle fingers pushed and probed while his thumb and the heel of his palm rubbed and worried at the tiny bud above her entrance.

Her teeth scored the skin of his neck, but it only added to the pleasure she gave him with her hand upon his length and her body in his arms. When her hand sliding up and down his shaft had become almost too much, his fingers withdrew and he grasped her hand, carefully pulling it from him to place the sponge in her palm. "Your turn," he almost growled in a low whisper before kissing her again, this time harder, a little more aggressive.

Tifa:

Hot panted whimpers tripped from Tifa's shivering lips as her hips bucked and writhed beneath Vincent's devilish fingers. She mewled and panted, trembling violently as those dexterous fingers assaulted quivering flesh. But just before she thought she would explode in a burst of stars, the digits disappeared and left her quaking.

A bit surprised, Tifa blinked as the sponge was deposited in her hand. A shiver raced down her spine at the animalistic growl lacing Vincent's normally rough sexy voice. Returning his torrid kiss, Gaia how she loved them; she stepped back and looked him up and down, deciding where to begin. Putting lather on the sponge, she smoothed it across his chest, both hands sudsy and massaging the sweet smelling stuff across both of his shoulders. Absorbed in her work, Tifa diligently cleaned him, adding more soap to the sponge.

Rather than have him turn around, she simply pulled him forward, directly into the warm spray and reached around him to wash and suds his back, pressing soft lips to the freshly cleaned skin of his chest. Her soapy hands roamed his back and shoulders, drifting fingertips down his spine to flatten palms against his rump, her fingernails gently flexing in hard muscle. Her mouth roamed his chest, tongue flicking at a hard male nipple, paying detailed attention before roaming towards his collarbone, teeth gently nibbling on the hard ridge.

She pressed against him slickly, soft breath wafting against his skin with her gentle ministrations. Teeth encountered the opposite nipple and worried the sensitive flesh before her lips closed over it and suckled a bit harshly. Fingernails bit into his hips as she did so and her lazy moan drifted through the shower. Tifa's head leaned back to gaze up at Vincent with passion-glazed eyes and her lips curled in a crooked smile. Returning to her work, she added more soap and swirled the lather lower, bathing his stomach and abdomen, kneeling before him to press wet flicking kisses to the cleaned expanse of skin.

Taking time to enjoy the distinctive flavor of Vincent, Tifa's tongue swirled into his navel, nipping flesh gently. Lathered hands drifted behind his knees and up the back of his thighs, caressing and stroking. Her nose nuzzled lower, tongue darting from her lips to taste and tease. Pausing, she looked up at him through thick lashes and when she asked, her voice was husky.

"…Vincent…do you want me to…?" But before he could either negate or assent, she did anyway. One hand cupped him, fingers curling delicately, while her mouth lowered and she licked him, so gently. A soft sigh wafted warm breath over the rigid flesh, then Tifa carefully slipped him in her mouth, only part of the way, as she really lacked experience in this facet of lovemaking, but she didn't find it quite as repulsive as she'd first thought. Withdrawing, she licked her lips and tried it again, this time taking the shaft a little deeper, tongue swirling teasingly around the hard flesh.

Vincent:

He smiled like a darkly handsome devil as she washed him, even more as she pulled him against her to access his back. Soft sighs and heavy breaths mingled with the sound of running water now and then as he enjoyed her attentions. He became all too aware, though, that she was heading further south with every flick of that lovely pink tongue.

"Tifa..." he whispered, eyes a bit wide as he realized where she was heading with this. No woman had ever taken him into her mouth before, and just the thought that Tifa was already willing to do so caused his member to quiver in anticipation. At her unfinished question, he could only stare at her incredulously. Did he want her to? What man wouldn't?

Before he could answer, she licked the tip of him, which drew a gasp and a shudder. When her delicate mouth enveloped the head, all coherent thought fled. His eyes rolled beneath tightly closed lids and his head fell back, long hair spilling down his back and caught in the spray of the water. Her tongue and the wet heat of her mouth, her teeth lightly grazing such sensitive flesh were absolutely astounding. Her name was dragged from low in his throat, an exclamation and a desperate prayer, "Ohhh gods, Tifa..."

His hands buried and fisted in her hair, torn between being careful not to hurt her and pushing her further down. To his credit, he resisted the urge and let her do as she would to him, though his knees shook each time she withdrew and took him in again, each time a fraction of an inch deeper. He finally had to steady himself with his left hand against the shower wall, groaning her name as she tortured him so sweetly. He knew he wouldn't last long if she weren't careful to take her time, and if he weren't careful enough to warn her.

Tifa:

A thrill rocketed through Tifa at Vincent's ragged response. She felt his hands clench in her hair and paused in her work, releasing him and licking her lips reflexively. She looked up and heat spiraled through her to see this beautiful man before her thus, back bowed in pleasure, throat quivering with her ministrations to his lovely body, water streaming through that midnight mass of glorious hair spilling down his muscled back. Gaia, but she loved him.

Willing to see him shake and writhe a bit more, Tifa steadied herself and boldly took all of him in her mouth, as much as she could without choking. Tightening her lips, she closed her eyes and sucked him hard, one long stroke, pulling her mouth away so very slowly, taking eternity to slip him from between her parted lips. Both hands curled around the achingly hard shaft as she rose to her feet, finding his lips and enveloping his mouth in a hot steaming kiss. Her tongue thrust between his lips, sliding enticingly across even teeth before swirling into the dark sweet cavern of his mouth.

Moaning, she kissed him thoroughly, pulling away only when the desire threatened to crest and spill over. She bit his ear, pleading, "I want you, Vincent…please…" Tifa lifted her arms, water sluicing over them both, and wound them around Vincent's neck, hands diving into the thick wet hair plastered to his shoulders. "…now…"

Vincent:

A ragged groan tore from his throat as he sank most of the way into her mouth. Her tongue rubbing across the underside of his length made him gasp, then the long, slow sucking as she pulled back nearly rocketed him over the edge. He growled softly, all the warning he could muster at the moment, and was both relieved and frustrated when her mouth was replaced with her hands.

The frustration was short-lived however, for she rose and he took her invading kiss and returned it ten fold. His hands gripped her rump and pulled her roughly against him, panting as she pulled away to nibble his ear and whisper her plea. Smiling lips revealed his perfect white teeth that bit down on her neck while he pushed her toward the shower wall, until her back met the slick tiles. He insinuated one knee between her thighs and parted them enough so he could bend and catch each to lift her, her weight now supported by the wall and his strong arms.

His erection ached now, pressed between them again until he lifted her enough to free it, letting the hardness brush her warm center. As his hand snaked between them to guide him in, he held her steady, not yet lowering her onto him. "How badly do you want it, Tifa?" He kissed her again, giving her no time to answer. His tongue pried willing lips apart and dueled with the soft, teasing muscle within her mouth, as if paying retribution for her earlier torture. His strength and balance was more than enough to keep them from toppling over, and he lowered her fractionally, enough that the tip of him parted her folds and pressed marginally into her.

"As badly as I want you?" he added on to his earlier question, then lowered her fully, fighting the urge to bite her lips a little too hard. Gaia, it was at least as good as last night, as tight as her body desperately clenched at him. Taking a shaking breath, he withdrew from her, then entered again ever so slowly, his hips setting a rhythm that he hoped would ensure that he could outlast her.

Tifa:

Tifa squeaked as he grabbed her and shoved her against the shower wall, but she wound arms and legs around him, loath to relinquish his embrace. Her head tilted and she moaned to feel his manhood pressed so hard between them; she ached for him to take her. Her body was a writhing mass of quivering nerves, every one singing his name in wanton chorus. She returned his wild kisses just as passionately, their tongues wrapping together behind her lips. Breasts pressed heavy against his chest with every labored pant that ripped from her lungs and she whined as he teased her, lithe hips bucking in flaming passion for him to get inside her.

Heated whispers coupled with frantic kisses strewn about his face, nipping at his lips, breathed from her and she moaned in complete satisfaction as Vincent finally sank her down atop him. Strong thighs clenched around his waist as she pressed down upon him and Tifa's head tossed, sending water streaming over the tile walls and down her body. Shivering, she moved sinuously against his smoothly thrusting body, their rhythm slow and unhurried, sending the deliciously familiar sensations glittering through her blood once again. Her hands clenched at his shoulders as she braced against him, wanting it never to end. "Vincent," she moaned throatily, running her tongue around the contours of his ear and bathing the delicate inner shell before biting at the skin and sucking tender flesh beneath as her body instinctively tightened around him, pulling him ever deeper inside.

Vincent:

The sounds of their moans and breathing mingled with that of the water beating down on their bodies and the more subtle noise of wet skin sliding against skin. He kept the pace slow, painfully so for him, until he was certain he could withstand a faster pace. In more slowly, out quickly, the pace kept just so due to the slick friction caused when her body tried so desperately to drag him back inside of her. Each thrust in became more difficult as she wound tighter than a coiled spring, but Vincent more than welcomed the challenge.

Trusting her grip on him, he slid his right hand back up her body, cupping one large, tender breast and kneading the heavy flesh, catching and teasing the hardened nipple between his fingers. How he longed to do the same with another tiny bundle of nerves far lower, but the position would not allow it and he'd be damned if he were going to switch up now. Harder he thrust, deeper and faster, crushing his mouth to hers all the while, breaking away only to gasp for air. Closer... he was getting so much closer now.

Pressure built at the base of his member, creeping ever upward, begging for release with a throbbing pulse. He strove frantically to hold it back, yet made the mistake of opening his eyes enough to behold the rapture on Tifa's face. The beast within him rose just enough at the thought that he held such sway over her; just enough that he lost that self control he so prided himself in. Growling her name along with so many possessive words against her lips, he spilled into her, hot, thick liquid flooding her with a spasm deep within.

He shuddered and almost sank to the floor, but held just enough strength to lean into her and keep them upright a bit longer, gasping and inwardly pleading for the sensations to stay. "Oh gods... Tifa... oh gods," he whispered, now thoroughly spent once more.

Tifa:

Again. She was going into orbit again. And didn't care whether she regained the earth, not as long as Vincent held her. Tifa squirmed, writhed and swayed against him, their water-slicked bodies sliding together in perfection incarnate, one smooth thrust against the other. He fit inside her, smooth steel wrapped in a silken glove. Tifa's brain caught fire and she cried out helplessly as his flesh hand found and fondled her breast, administering just the right amount of painful pleasure to the pebbled nipple.

She tensed, suspended for a long moment then wildly yelled his name, nails dug into his shoulders as his next thrust shoved her right over the cliff into crashing ecstasy. Strong inner muscles rippled along the invading member as her legs tightened around his waist, ankles locked. Ten seconds later, she cried out again as she felt him spasm deep within her, shuddering and flooding her with scalding warmth. Her trembling lips panted and their mingled words fell together as Vincent gasped into her mouth. Her entire body tingled and throbbed.

Her breathing still erratic, Tifa clutched Vincent tightly, dimly aware that somehow her legs had slid to the tile and she stood on her own two shaking limbs. Passion glazed eyes still hazy, she found Vincent's mouth and licked his lips in a sloppy kiss, unable to stop the words that panted from her lips as she would have been able to stop the rising sun. "Vincent…I love you. Oh, how I love you…"

Vincent:

He had only a vague awareness of her kiss, his lips and tongue returning it automatically. Everything was shivering bliss. Vincent's heart still pounded against his chest, his blood racing through his veins and fueling the tingles that spread and ebbed to and fro across his body. His hands had left her breasts and thighs in favor of simply holding her close, one at her lower back and one around her shoulders. Nothing could be more perfect... until he heard her words.

He pulled away only enough to look at her with awestruck red eyes that held more tentative hope than he should have been capable of. He had known in his heart that she wanted him, needed him, loved him on some level. But to hear her say it and to look into her eyes now, to see the sincerity there... it affected him more profoundly than he had imagined. Lucrecia had never said that. He'd resigned himself to a life without hearing those words from a woman he loved.

He was afraid at first he'd mistook her words, had heard them wrong. But her eyes confirmed them, and that warm ache in his chest that had first started months ago, before Cloud had died, swelled stronger than before. His embrace suddenly tightened as he whispered, eyes shut tight now.

"I... I love you, as well." He nuzzled her neck and the wet tangles of her hair that stuck to it. "So much more than you know, Tifa. So, so much." His breath was still ragged, and he blamed it for his voice almost breaking. His knees finally giving way, he sank to the shower floor with her, the warm water beating down on them both.

Tifa:

Tifa's cheeks flamed scarlet as she realized what she'd actually said, but she summoned her courage and was determined not to take them back. The eyes that gazed down at her were wide and thunderstruck, as if hearing the voice of the gods and realizing it for the first time. But Vincent held her close, trembling so violently Tifa began to be concerned and then her heart did that funny little flip-flop as his reply breathed in her ear. She squenched her eyes closed and clasped him just as tightly, but then she yelped in surprise as both of them collapsed on the shower floor, she haphazardly propped against the wall with Vincent sprawled across her lap. Blinking water from her eyes, she couldn't help but giggle. "Maybe we should get out of the shower, Vincent," she suggested, smoothing back hair plastered to his cheeks. "I'm getting all wrinkly." She wiggled a hand before his nose. "See? Raisiny."

Vincent: He looked at her with mild confusion, then noticed that her fingers were looking a bit like prunes. For the life of him, movement seemed like far too much effort, so he only nodded, then looked down at his lap. "So am I," he mused, regarding his softening member. Raisiny indeed.

He flushed a little but remained leaning against the wall. "I think perhaps smelling like sex can't be helped at this particular moment." At least they would smell like sex and lavender, which might hide any scent from the humans of the group. Then he remembered... Nanaki. No doubt the cat had heard and scented them the whole night long. A small smirk tugged at one corner of his lips. He'd hear no end of this from that feline.

He strained and reached the faucet knobs, turning the water off and leaving them soaked and cooling on the shower floor, with no visible effort to get up on his part. "That better?" He pulled her back down to him, kissing her one more time, savoring that slippery feel of her against him for a little longer. Then, with reluctance he released her, his keen ears picking up the noise of the others returning downstairs.

"I guess we should get dressed now." He neglected to inform her of their friends' return, since it would do her little good to rush. Vincent stood on shaky legs and helped her do the same, sighing in relief when his knees popped and some of the unsteadiness subsided. They stepped out of the shower and he wrapped a large, plush towel around her shoulders, then fixed one around his waist. His stomach suddenly tightened, gnawing at his gut with a small growl. His brow furrowed slightly as he placed a hand over his complaining middle. "Planet, I'm hungry..."

Tifa:

They tripped and slipped their way out of the shower, Tifa not minding at all the still-rubberiness of her legs or the coltishness of Vincent's normally graceful and poised stance. She laughed and giggled heartily, burrowing into the towel and drying off a bit. Her eyes twinkled as she heard his stomach growl; hers echoed one to match.

"Goodness, appears I am too. I wonder if they'll bring us anything from breakfast," she chuckled. Tifa went into the bedroom to finish drying off and dress, slipping on undies and a light sundress and simply piling her damp hair atop her head. She looked up with wide eyes as she heard commotion in the house, her gaze flying to Vincent on the other side of the bed, calmly pulling on pants and shirt.

A gasp of fright clogged in her throat, but she swallowed it, determined not to be afraid of her friends. But nerves got the better of her and she forced a small laugh, saying as she went to the door, "Well, I guess they're back. Um…I'll go see what I can find for lunch, ok?" And head off the inevitable questions, she thought wildly as she exited the bedroom.

Vincent:

In the kitchen, Yuffie was rattling away about an upgrade she'd made to her shuriken. Not something to make it perform better in battle, but rather than allowed her to equip even more materia. Though she'd matured some, one thing everyone knew she'd never outgrow was her love of and greed for all things small, round and shiny.

Cid had given up trying to interrupt her and now watched Barret stare into what had to be his fifth cup of coffee this morning. The large black man was staring into the cup with what appeared might be a mix between nausea and morbid fascination, like watching some huge catastrophe or frying a bug beneath the concentrated sunlight shining through a magnifying glass. Barret usually only wore a similar look when the group happened to speak on some disgusting subject, as often happened when everyone was bored. Well, at least Cid, Yuffie and Barret would ponder over gross and otherwise useless subjects. The rest usually elected to stay out of the conversation.

The blond had asked Barret if anything was wrong earlier, but the man had grunted and shrugged it off as not getting enough sleep. Cid could understand that, given the night before. Still, that cat was acting awful strange, too. He'd been just shy of perky all morning. Red had met them on their way back, a curious spring to his four-legged step.

Ah, fuck it, Cid mused. If it's anything important, I'll find out eventually. It could simply be the leftovers of last night's celebration. Speaking of... Tifa's sleeping late. Well, guess she would be exhausted, what with all the dancing and the attention and excitement. Where the hell is Valentine?

As if on cue, Tifa entered the kitchen, hair damp from her shower. All eyes went to her, and Yuffie ceased her prattle, grinning at the older woman, "Afternoon, sleepy head! 'Bout time you got outta bed..." Cid smirked and added his two cents, "What'd you have to drink last night, Tif? Must'a knocked you on yer ass..."

All laughter and jokes stopped, however, when Vincent entered, from Tifa's bedroom. It was until that very moment that he realized his hair was damp, like Tifa's, and that it was something the group might take into account along with the facts that both had "slept in" and both had come into the kitchen at almost the same time, from the same bedroom. Nothing more to do than offer a half-smile and an awkward greeting, Vincent supposed. "Good afternoon."

Tifa:

Tifa was just about to answer Cid's query with a giggled reply when she heard the door behind her open and saw her friends' faces drift behind her. And stare. Her first defense was to bristle and remind them just whose home this was and that she was a big girl and…but then she saw the barely concealed grin on Nanaki's feline face and swallowed the harsh words.

"I really didn't have anything all that strong, Cid," she answered brightly, retrieving her coffee cup, automatically along with Vincent's, and filling both with the hot liquid. Hearing him behind her, she handed him his without glancing around and doctored her own, taking a long swallow, mostly for courage, mostly to quell her trembling.

But she forced a bright smile, asking, "Did you bring any leftovers? Or eat more than necessary, as usual?" She moved from the kitchen to the living area, sitting down on the loveseat, since everything else was occupied by her guests and folded a leg underneath her. She could hear the kids gallivanting about outside and was thankful.

Questions were bound to be asked and better they remain innocent of such for a while. Looking up, Tifa's gaze encountered Barret's, and the hardness in his dark eyes made her heart sink.

Vincent:

For a long moment he just looked at her, letting her take in his stare and the emotions behind it, then spoke. "So. You wit' him now?" It was a rhetorical question. He kept his voice low enough, at least. He followed that with, "This a one time thing, or what?" In the kitchen, where Vincent was digging through the leftovers that Yuffie had retained just enough coherent thought to point out, the rest of the group remained behind once Barret had followed Tifa into the living room.

Vincent spread strawberry cream cheese over a mini bagel and kept his eyes on the task when Cid leaned back in his chair and let out a long, low whistle. "Sunshine, fuck if I'm wrong... but I'll fore-go playin' stupid to guess you an' Tifa weren't just chattin' all mornin." Shera elbowed the pilot in the side and fussed at him under her breath that he shouldn't say anything.

Red's feline grin spread to bare fangs and he chuckled, an intermittent, rough purr. Vincent felt the blood rise to his cheeks, and turned a brighter shade at Yuffie's next comment.

"Gosh... I thought guys like you were just celibate or something." She then giggled, "No wonder you guys slept in so late! Ohhh my gosh..." She ran out of the room and into the living area, fully intent on prying out some details.

Valentine only sighed and stuffed the whole mini bagel into his mouth. He didn't care to answer Cid at the moment... awkward or not, he was still really hungry.

"Damn, Vinny. You and Tifa, huh?" Cid found himself chuckling, then laughing. "Damn."

Tifa:

Tifa couldn't help it, she fidgeted. Barret was like a father to her and to disappoint him cut deeper than Sephiroth's Masamune ever could. She put down her coffee cup on the small table and, with a guarded glance to the kitchen, replied, "Barret…please." She flushed deeply, lowering her eyes. "…well, I guess you could put it that way…" she faltered, then blushed harder, staring at her toes, finally lifting her eyes to meet Barret's gaze.

"I doubt it would be, Barret. Vincent's been here…for a long time. Even before this, when Cloud was…" she trailed off and took a steadying breath. "I don't want to be alone anymore, Barret," she said quietly, looking straightly at him. "Vincent…cares. He really does. We've been through a lot, the two of us. Not all of it good. And not all of you can understand, but that gives us a bond to share. I don't regret it, nor will I. I loved Cloud, but he's gone. And Vincent…has never given me reason not to trust his intentions."

She fell quiet as Yuffie burst into the living room, heaving a deep sigh to the younger's questions. "Yuffie, please," she said tiredly, "some things are just not your business." Disgusted, both with herself for feeling ashamed and her friends for making her feel so, Tifa rose from the couch and went downstairs and reflexively began to finish putting away the groceries from earlier that morning.

To be continued…