I have developed the story maybe too slowly but I think that has become kind of the way I work, certainly I hope it will be able to keep the interest of many up to date.

Idiot... imbecile... complete nincompoop. Ugh! Why had she not checked before sending that? Taken by the rush of the moment, the inevitable had to happen focusing on Vincent as she selected the receiver of the message.

She had ruined a perfect moment in seconds... a record no doubt that would hardly be surpassed and with due reason. She wanted to scream... shout... kick... hit... do anything just to avoid the silence that had plummet between them.

He had turned her back on her with not a sound and she had started following him at safe distance afraid what consequences were headed her way after the slight.

Tifa was so embarrassed she couldn't find words to excuse herself, with her eyes burning as she fought the need to cry and so she forced herself to gulp.

A quick dash in front of him as her hands closed in tight shut knuckles as her face tried to recompose herself but she had an idea she wasn't exactly portraying the desired image.

Vincent stopped a little taken aback, his eyebrow shifting and his shoulders seemed to indicate a sudden sigh on his part as he was forced to halt and confront her.

"I apologize!" she let out loud with dripping anxiety out of every pore, "Please just listen to me Vincent... it's not what it seems..." and she licked her lip an instant, interest on his part perhaps?

"You didn't gamble the mime materia with Yuffie in exchange for seducing me?" he asked in a rather distanced tone of voice.

"That... ok… that I did... there are details you are not aware of..." she added feeling her voice cracking, she was losing him for sure... his expression was a clear response even before he would interrupt her. "Spare me the details", he crossed his arms, "You now have rediscovered unusual and unpredicted feelings you didn't think you had for me and all of a sudden your sentiments are sincere".

That wasn't very fair on his part she thought but she was really in no position to argue, the man was hurt and ashamed even... maybe, she would've probably reacted the same in his stead. She reminded herself that she was at fault also enduring even some sharp remarks was the least she could do right now.

"I wish I could prove that is true but I am afraid you won't believe me... so just tell me Vincent, you think I would be trying to be forgiven after this blew on my face?". Vincent shrugged, "I don't know… and frankly it's not my problem anymore Tifa… do what you like as long as you keep me out of it".

He walked past by her without offering a glance as she watched him hopeless and almost there to surrender. "What… wha… Vincent please!" she let out louder but he ignored her and kept moving on. "There has to be a way for you to believe and understand how I feel about you…" and still he would not consider her. A tear fell on her right cheek at which Tifa moved a hand almost afraid of the pain she was obviously in but was not able to be mentally aware of… the back slash from this evening would have long lasting effects on her… effects she didn't want to face again. She had her share of sleepless nights without eating and no more strength for tears. Again… she moved quickly to him but this time Vincent turned abruptly and moved a hand on her right arm with force, "Stop following me this instant! It's over… everything, anything you might think was going on for that matter… over… you understood that?" and she tried not to release herself but plead, "It won't happen again Vincent… you have to believe me… please…". He felt his own hearth moved by her words and eyes but he knew better than to trust the easily weeping nature of women and left her arm turning away deciding it was best not to look at her and give in. "One chance… one more is all I am asking…", "Enough Tifa! You are not getting my trust back… if anything you'll be waiting a long time as far as I am concerned…". That did not make her feel better.

He felt a rage inside he couldn't explain, not only because of the fool she had made him look but because he had allowed himself to go that close to feel something for a woman again and that she had betrayed him so easily simply reopened an old wound.

"Vincent…" she began knowing she was probably making things worse, "I need to know we can work this please… I am really willing to express my feelings… just give me the right chance! I will embarrass myself if that's necessary."

He turned to her almost disgusted, "That's what you think I would expect of you?". Tifa had an evident problem gulping there, "I did not meant that as you making me… I mean… I…". Moving a tired hand to his face the gunman turned away, why had he even turned… she looked so destroyed he felt he was inches of caving in for the sake of not having those eyes of her looking so helpless at him.

An abrupt stop from his part made Tifa startled right behind him. He was facing a building and turned his eyes to him. A different kind of Vincent was staring at her and she looked at the place herself, it was a motel. One of those cheap ones that had an hourly cost and made no effort to hide what was their general clientele.

Tifa looked at him in horror then at the place again, had it been another man maybe she would have considered but Vincent? She had sincerely never seen a side of him that suggested the man indulged himself on such needs and even now… whit what seemed the only possible explanation as he moved a hand to her arm again… pulling her… it was simply too absurd.

She pulled off abruptly in sheer disillusion, "What do you think you are doing?" she asked then loudly. Vincent had made no attempt to grab her arm again, "I thought you where fond enough of me you wouldn't mind… or perhaps I underestimated your interest?" he replied expressionless.

"Are you… crazy?" she asked looked at the depraved structure again with anguish rising, she felt sincerely scared at the new Vincent Valentine before her and the notion seemed so absurd she was sure to find him making fun of her… caving just for the sake of testing her. While she was sure to have more than a passing interest on the over clothed gun man she was sure enough that sleeping with him… right away… was something she had no intention of doing. It wasn't the way she would behave whatever people may assume from her light clothing… it was simply not how a relationship should start.

"Forget it Valentine, you think you have good enough reason to make use of me for a night stand you are definitely wrong".

He nodded, "True enough… I am putting you in a situation where you risk feeling like a cheap prostitute without actually knowing if I am being serious on my part. However… should you come with me inside… a full pardon would be given to you".

A nice squeeze of her knuckle and she felt ready to dispatch right at his face, he was expressionless if only for a hint of amusement that clearly was engaging her with an I-dare-you-to-hit me look.

Maybe it was that amusement that convinced Tifa, "Fine… I will do it". Vincent didn't hide his surprise and simply stood still a few moments inviting her to follow inside.

She was sure without doubt that Vincent's plan was to lure her in as test simply… she would play along as much as necessary for the moment… and in the given eventuality he ended up being the jerk he seemed she could just get the hell out of there.

The reception had a very dim light and the person at the counter seemed as gloomy, looking at the couple his interested spiked. They both had an odd air about them and it wasn't only the man's unusual clothing but over all Vincent and Tifa simply stood out in any context.

As Vincent paid for the room and signed Tifa remained silent and patient, she was clearly embarrassed at being seen by anyone at such a place. Trying to regain confidence she crossed her arms on her chest trying to conceal herself as being there for that purpose. Making herself tiny as possible and crushing her breast against her chest as to make them less evident didn't serve as much as she thought to boost her confidence and felt her heart sank as Vincent showed her the keys amused and moved to the elevator.

Now while Tifa had been positively outraged and in a total defiant mood with him at first she was starting to feel scared as they approached the room. She had seen Vincent as a man if not touched by female needs at least well concealed in a very gentleman like ideal… ideal was the keyword here, again she reminded herself she knew nothing about his past… what kind of horrible things the man might hide in his past. Things that if she had known about she would've not even started any gambling around him.

He opened the door and removed his cloak at which point she looked at him wandering if it was an on the spot thing. In a self protective attempt she remained near the door giving him inquisitive looks to which he didn't reply. Instead he walked all the way to her and just as she embraced herself with a minor attempt to not lose her cool and move she saw him simply go and lock the door. Then casually walked back and went straight to the toilet as Tifa looked around the place.

Looked clean… at least at first sight which was a considerably plus on their sector, there was even a rudimental television near the bed. Vincent came out with some towels as she inspected the set, "We have two bathrobes… will be quite useful if I might say. Now would you like to wash before me or after?". She hadn't even consider that aspect, wasn't this the part where he went –Surprise, it was all joke and you are not required to sleep with me-? No… he simply looked at her with an unreadable face. Tifa considered herself seriously sleeping with him… he had certainly breeched through her on one night and that sure wasn't all due to his fascinating personality, Vincent certainly possessed features she would definitely be attracted by… still she simply could not make herself want to sleep with him right away… her brain remained stronger than feelings and needing loins. "I… I'll go first" and quickly grabbed the bathrobe heading inside, if anything being alone for some time would do her good.

The bathroom was extremely tidy; again there was a semblance of hygienic environment. Tifa didn't spend much time inside and as she left to dry herself she stared at her naked body unsure if she should exit completely naked. Too ashamed she moved back her panties and then placed her bathrobe, she was sure to have to hit him on the face now.

Vincent was toying with the television set when Tifa got back, she had well wrapped herself and some of her hair was wet as she was unable to use any cap. He stood up taking her in a few moments with a soft smile and approached, "I will take mine now". Tifa waited him to pass to add, "What if I decide to leave and I am not here when you exit?". Vincent didn't reply and instead went in, after a while water was running and she was fidgeting on the bed.

Not allowing herself to panic just jet she started toying with the television, the signal was terrible and she was moving the antennas in attempt to improve quality with low success. There was what seemed a news network on the background but barely some word could be made up and the distraction had served her well as she turned realizing Vincent was just a few centimeters behind her watching.

She dropped the antenna to the floor and made an attempt to smile which she stopped… this wasn't a situation to smile at. This time she was forced to take in Vincent on bathrobe, heavily unusual to see him in any different clothes his shoulders appeared larger without so much clothing on him. With a quick move he turned the set off and moved to a side of the bed, "Would you lie on the bed Tifa?".

Had he just issued an order? He didn't have any appearance of a man who was about to have sex with her… or to be interested for the matter. She forced herself to sit, now laying down was tricky, wrapping her arms tight around herself she moved a leg and then another on the bed and let herself go slowly… embracing herself… she was pretty much like some vampire laying down on her coffin right now.

Vincent was sitting on the other side, as soon as Tifa was on her back he was over her. She looked at him with wide eyes holding her bathrobe tight and looked at him wondering if he was ever going to surprise her now. Any minute now. Almost…

He moved his face down and now it all appeared cleared he was simply asking her for a kiss, at this she responded quite willingly closing her eyes. But his lips weren't aimed there and she felt him brushing close but past to her ear, his lips tugged her lobe followed by his tongue giving her chills as he savored her skin.

"Ah!" she let out in surprise and covered her mouth ashamed, on his part Vincent moved to look at her startled. "Quite sensible ears you have…" and his face disappeared down her neck but she could feel the amusement in his face. A hand moved to her neck just as he breathed on her giving Tifa a hard time containing her heartbeats as she remained still, his hand moved down undoing her robe a little as he moved down between the valley of her breasts. Her hand moved instinctively to his wrist as if to stop him and at that he simply removed himself from her grasp and drew himself closer to her body. This time his good hand moved to her side raising inch by inch her robe. "W-wait…" she protested stopping him again but his hand didn't allow itself to be stopped this time and reached to the edge of her panties, "Cheating aren't we?", "I like my underwear on!" she let out abruptly. Her face so red and embarrassed Vincent was sure she was about to crash, into what side though he wasn't sure. "We have a problem then… I like you without…", "Vincent…" she threatened but to him sounded more like an invitation as his hand moved behind her elastic encircling the shape of her ass. Tifa arched a little pushing herself against him, the way her body acted on her own was certainly something she had a problem with but it was inevitable he was having an effect on her which was far from displeasing.

Suddenly he rose from his position and Tifa felt cold, her hands rushed to close her robe and she moved her back up right, "V… Vincent?" she asked looking at him perplexed.

"You… definitely passed your test" he added looking relieved but not really looking at her. She smiled glad she had the right idea about him, "So we can continue where we left?" she asked eager. Vincent turned to her surprised, "What? You really want to…" he asked with something that Tifa would read as a man eager to continue where her left. "No… no… I mean where our date was going… I mean… I would like to wait" and she cleared her voice rather embarrassed.

Vincent stood up and chuckled nodding, "So be it… perhaps at our next date". Not really relieved he stood up, a little more and he would not have been able to stop and Tifa? He wondered if she would've given in or not in the end.

After they clothed each other they left in good spirits the motel, especially Tifa was relieved not to have had to go through with it. Still she had a strong vivid memory of Vincent of on top of her she was not likely nor willing to forget deep down.

"I'm glad… really that this… turned out well" she added and felt the man's arm wrap around her, "Me too" he added, "So Miss Lockhart… a profitable evening I would say". Tifa agreed with a nod full of the embarrassment that came from his unusual straightforwardness towards her, "Now you have a real date and a most expensive materia in your hands".

She looked at him perplexed, "Wha? Vincent, I didn't send Yuffie any pic and I don't care anymore… really" she added smiling. He stopped looking at her with concern, "Well that cannot be… with all the effort you put to this… ". Tifa simply stared back at him confused as ever by his unreadable ways.

On the other side of town Yuffie was in her rented hotel room, nothing to fancy but she had definitely hoped to finish the evening with Reno but after she found all those messages to another woman… out of the question. Worse was she would have to tell Tifa for sure… guess she was right about him.

As she accommodated herself on the bed she received a message from her partner in crime. As she saw the image Yuffie cursed, "Dammit!"

The image was a nice close up of Tifa and Vincent kissing.

The end. Thank you for reading.