The Reason

Chapter 8

“Oh!” Elena sang, “It’ll be so NICE having another WOMAN around!”

Jexebel stared at her reflection in the glass window of the buggy. She was dressed in one of Elena’s uniforms, and though it surprised her how comfortable and flexible the suits were, she was still uncomfortable. It felt . . . different.

“You got that right!” Reno said, pressing into Jexebel’s left side.

“Back off, Montonati.” Jexebel said, surprising everyone in the car, especially Reno.

“How did you know my last name?! Rude doesn’t even know my last name! RUFUS doesn’t even know my last name!” He turned in his seat to grab her arm. That was when Vincent lashed out. He reached across from Jexebel’s right and grabbed Reno by the collar of his wrinkled shirt.

“Like the lady said, Reno. Back. Off.”

The group festered in uncomfortable silence for a long while. Tseng drove the buggy; Elena sat next to him in the front seat, and Rude next to her. The first sound made in a long while was Jexebel, when the buggy began its drive through Bone Village.

Her breathing became uneven; especially when they buggy passed the path that led to her late mother’s demolished home. Vincent cast a worried look her way and squeezed her thigh gently, as if to ask, “Are you okay?”

She let out a long, shaky breath and nodded, resting her hand on top of Vincent’s.

“So.” Reno said quietly, “How, uh . . . how do you know my last name?”

Jexebel sighed softly. She had known that they would want explanations.

“Like I said back at the Inn: I don’t know how I know these things. I just do. It’s like . . . names and commands just play through the back of my mind like a movie. I don’t know where they come from. When I called you Montonati, It was just natural. Like that’s what I was supposed to call you. I didn’t know I knew the name until I said it.” She said.

Reno nodded in acceptance and turned away from her.

From the way she spoke of it, so calmly, one would think that it didn’t bother Jexebel. They would be wrong.



“Alright. Reno, Rude! You take the pass to Mt. Nibel. Jexebel and Elena, I want the two of you to infiltrate the Mansion and secure it. Vincent, you come with me. We’re going to the reactor.”

“Jexebel stays with me.” Vincent said, leaving no room for argument, so it seemed.

“I need you with me at the reactor, Valentine, and I’m not sending anyone else off on their own.”

“I’ll be alright, Vincent. Don’t let me interfere with what you have to do.” Jexebel said, stepping away from the buggy and rested her hand on his shoulder. He lowered his head.

‘I don’t want to leave her alone. I’m still not sure that she’s telling me the whole truth . . .but I can’t say anything because the others will take her into custody!’ he thought, bitterly.

“Vincent.” Jexebel said, seeing the conflict in his eyes. “I know exactly what it is going through your mind. We’ll talk about THAT later. Go with Kambashii, Elena and I will be fine.” She glanced at Tseng and his shocked expression, and realized she’d done it again. Tseng pointed to her and made a show of calming himself and finding the right words to say.

“When we get back to the safe house,” He stated, “We’re are going to find out why you know these things.” The way he said it let her know that it was a threat, and a promise, warning her to come clean now if she knew.

“Sounds good to me.” She said, showing Tseng that she wasn’t afraid, and was as confused as he was. She turned to Reno and Rude.

“Montonati. Rudow.” She nodded. “Good luck.”

“Wait, wait!” Reno said. “What’s his first name, then, if ‘Rude’ is short for his last name?”

Rude looked at Jexebel, challenging.

“Anthony.”

Rude’s sunglasses lifted a bit, suggesting that his eyes had widened considerably.

“And Elena?” Reno pressed.

“Enough! Go to your positions!” Tseng growled.

Jexebel smiled weakly and leaned up on her toes to plant a gentle kiss on Vincent’s lips. He wrapped his arms around her and forced her to stay there as he forced her to really kiss him. He pulled away when he heard Reno chuckle, lewdly. Jexebel nudged his nose with hers.

“Be safe.” She whispered. The two separated and looked around, averting their eyes when they spotted Tseng and Elena doing the same thing. Finally, the two separated as well.

“Let’s go.” Tseng said.

Reno and Rude waved to the group and headed for the pass. Vincent and Tseng said a final farewell to the women, Vincent looking more worried than he should have been, and they too headed for the pass.

“It’s Sazo!” Jexebel called to Reno, a certain bounce in her voice. He laughed.

“Shall we?” Elena said, gesturing to the mansion.

“Yeah. Let’s get this over with.” Jexebel shuddered. “Just looking at it gives me the creeps.”


The ground floor of the mansion was dusty and over-grown with weeds and grass. Beneath the staircase sat the remains of a Deepground Black Widow. The one taken by Vincent one year prior.

“Where should we start?” Elena asked, more for conversation then an actual question.

“Lets start here, on the ground floor. Then we can work our way upstairs, and then into the lab. Odin’s Lance I did it again.” Jexebel put her thumb and forefinger to her forehead, and Elena rested her hand on her arm.

“We’ll figure it out later. Lets start at opposite ends and work our way back together. You want left or right?”

“I’ll take the ballroom and the lab that’s back there. Meet me here when you’re finished. I won’t start upstairs until you’re back here, so if I’m not here, wait five minutes, then radio me. If I don’t answer within a few seconds, get out and radio Vincent and Kambashii. I mean Tseng. We’re all on the same frequency, right?”

“Yes. Anything we radio to eachother, they’ll hear too.”

‘Euch.’ Jexebel thought. ‘Thanks for warning me before I said something about Vincent.’

“Wow.” Elena said. “You’re good.” She smiled, waving as she walked backwards to the rooms on their right.

Jexebel smiled and quietly made her way to the storage room to her left. The storage room was clear. She exited and made her way down the hallway to the ballroom. She checked every nook and cranny carefully before moving on to the hallway and rooms that led to the ground lab. All clear. Just as she headed into the lab, her Elena’s voice sounded quietly over her radio.

“Jexebel?”

“I’m here, Elena. I’m just checking the lab.” She was silent as she searched the area, and then radioed Elena. “All clear on my end. Where are you?”

“I’m in the hallway by the storage rooms on my side. I heard something in the main hall, that’s why I radioed, to see if it was you.”

Jexebel began moving faster to get back to the main hall. “Stay out of sight.” She said. “I’m coming. See if you can see anyone upstairs, will you?”

There was a rustling sound and then quiet. Then: “Yes! There’s a soldier on the left side of the balcony. He’s dressed like a sniper.”

“Jexebel.” Vincent’s voice crackled over the radio.

“Yeah?”

“Don’t rush into anything. I’ve dealt with DG snipers. They are usually 100% accurate, and they deal massive damage. Chances are if there’s one, there’s a dozen. Be careful.”

Jexebel was just leaving the ballroom when he finished. She sneaked down the hallway and peeked around the corner. She could see Elena on the other side and signaled her to stay put. She looked up at the balcony. There was a sniper on the right side, too. Then she realized something. This placement was strategic. They knew . . .

“Elena!” She whispered, “Look at how they’re placed. It’s strategic. They know we’re here!”

Silence, then a soft gasp. “You’re right!”

“Get out.” Tseng said.

“But what about securing the manor?” Jexebel asked.

“If you had gotten further inside, you may have had a chance at success. You were discovered too soon. Mission failed, get out.” He stated sounding cocky.

“Like hell.” Jexebel murmured. “Elena, look at me.”

She pointed at the radio and signaled for Elena to turn to a different channel, mouthing “Channel 4.”

Elena’s eyes went wide but she did as she was told, muttering “Sorry, Tseng. Vincent.” Before she did so.

“Copy?” Jexebel said. Elena nodded.

“Okay.” Jexebel said. “I need you to get their attention. DO NOT WALK OUT THERE. The sniper on my side is waiting for that. Go back to the storage room, and open the door, loudly. If I hear it, they will. Walk loudly down the hallway, and say loudly: All clear over here. Then, sneak back into the storage room and wait behind the crates in there. If- IF - one of them goes in, shoot them. You have a silencer, right?”

“Yes.” Elena said, unable to believe that the sweet Jexebel she met a few days before could be so wickedly devious.

“Use it. We don’t want to draw attention. I’ll take care of as many as I can, if more come. If I need help, I’ll radio you. ONL Y COME OUT IF I CALL. Don’t give away your position unless absolutely necessary.”

“Copy.” Elena said. A few moments passed, and Jexebel heard a door open loudly.

“Good. They have to have heard that.” Footsteps on creaky wood, and stone. “They’re coming. Get inside the room, now. There are only two of them. Female. Okay . . . They’re down the stairs . . . I’m going after them.” Jexebel turned her radio off so that Elena’s protests could give her away, and kept light on her feet as she snuck behind the second of the soldiers that were making their way to Elena’s hiding place. It happened in a split second. She slid her hand around the soldiers face and covered her mouth, using her other hand to cut her throat with the knife she had retrieved. The woman died without a sound and she very carefully laid her body on the ground. She then snuck behind the first soldier and gave her the same treatment. It was over in less than a minute. She turned her radio back on.

“Elena.”

“Copy. Don’t you ever turn your radio off again, or I swear to Shiva I’ll tell Vincent about it. And from what I saw earlier, I really don’t think he’d like hearing about this. We’re both gonna get ripped apart for changing frequencies!”

“Alright, I’m sorry. They’re down. I’m in the hall. Come out.”

Elena did as she was asked and the two stood looking at the soldiers on the ground. Then, at the same time, she and Jexebel looked at eachother, smiling.


“You look good.” Elena said, nudging Jexebel.

“You don’t look so bad yourself.” Jexebel answered. Both women giggled and donned the headgear that completed the DG uniforms.

“You’re a mad genius.” Jexebel whispered as she and Elena waltzed right up the stairs.

“Thank you. You, are just plain insane.”

“Thanks.”

The women completed their check of the second floor, finding no other soldiers there, then Jexebel met Elena at the secret door to the basement.

“Turn your radio back, and tell them we’re alright, but we’re undercover. We’ll have to be on a different frequency until we’ve completed the mission.” Jexebel said.

“Why do I have to do it?”

“Because Tseng likes you. And Vincent already doesn’t trust me. I’ll take the next one.”

Elena groaned. “I’m holding you to that.” She switched her radio back to the Turks frequency. “Boys?”

“Elena!” Tseng said, relieved.

“First and second floor of the manor secure. Thank Jexebel. She’s amazing.”

“She’s grounded.” Reno joked.

“Jexebel Strange.” Vincent’s voice was smooth over the radio. He. Was. Pissed.

Jexebel cringed and took Elena’s radio.

“Hi Vincent.”

He was silent for a moment. “If you ever-EVER-scare me like that again, I swear on Da Chao I’ll-“

“I’m sorry, Vincent. But you know that we wouldn’t have been able to get out anyway.”

“That’s no excu-“

“Stop.” Jexebel said. “You told Rufus I was more than capable of taking care of myself. Obviously if Elena’s a Turk, so is she. Have a little faith. We need the mansion, and I am doing what I was told to do.” She sounded pissed. Tseng took over.

“Don’t you take that tone! We were worried sick!”

This time Elena answered. “Gaia, Tseng, like she said, have a little faith! We’re switching back to our frequency now, unless you can get over it. Or . . .” She paused and her face brightened, “We could use Morse code!”

“Good idea. Elena, you’re brilliant.” Jexebel stated.

“If you talk at all, even to one another, use Morse code. We’ll wear headsets so we can hear you, but we won’t be able to answer. We’ll give you some signal, but nothing verbal, or that they may understand. IF we can talk to you though, we will.”

“Alright. Reno. Rude. You get that?”

“Yeah boss. Sweet Bahamut, Jexebel. You got balls.” Reno said, laughing.

Jexebel just smirked as she and Elena donned their earpieces.



The women guardedly made their way down the spiral staircase. The way was clear for the moment, and they reached a dark wooden door. Elena opened the door and tentatively stepped inside. Jexebel followed.

“It’s a crypt . . . “ Elena said into the microphone of her headset, looking at Jexebel when she gasped.

“Vincent Valentine . . . “ She read. “This was the place?”

“Yes.” He answered in Morse code. There was a sound at the door. Both women whirled around and aimed their guns (also taken from the dead soldiers). It was a DG commander.

“What are you doing in here? Get back in position. Battalions eight and nine are on their way. They’ll join battalions six and seven at the entrance. You two should be with one through five at the reactor.”

“Yes sir!” Jexebel said, a perfect imitation of the monotonous DG female’s voice. She led Elena to the stairs and back to the ground floor of the manor. “Let’s get out of here. We’ll go to the pass.” She said.

“Shouldn’t we tell the others?”

“Not yet. Let’s get safely away from the manor first. We can’t take the mansion, but we have information that can help for next time.” Faintly, she heard Reno inform Tseng that the pass was clear, and they were joining them at the reactor.

“Shit. There are too many soldiers around to tell them to get away from there. There are five battalions on their way!” Elena said, frantically.

“We’ll just have to get there first.” Jexebel said, with meaning.

So they ran. It only took them an hour to scale the mountain and come to the reactor. There were none of Deepground in sight, but the men weren’t there, either. Jexebel and Elena were peeking through the brush near the reactor, trying to get some idea of Tseng and Vincent, and Reno and Rude’s positions.

Just when Jexebel realized that the men had no idea she and Elena were dressed like DG soldiers, she heard a twig snap behind her. She whirled around and shoved Elena to the ground, dodging a gunshot that would have killed her. Elena grunted and dodged the shots as well. Four more rounds were fired before Jexebel got the chance to see her assailant.

“Vincent!” She shouted. “Stop! It’s us!” It was no use, as the headgear they wore distorted their voices. Still dodging, she tried to get her headgear off. Another shot rang out, and Elena fell to the ground, that round from Tseng’s gun as he stepped out of hiding just behind Vincent.

“Dammit!” Jexebel shouted. She finally tore the gear off her face and threw her hands in front of her body. “Stop!”

Finally, the gunfire ceased.

“Jexebel?” Vincent said, confusion in his voice. Tseng stepped out from behind him.

“Yes it’s me! I tried to tell you that! GODS!”

“Then who . . .” Tseng asked, looking to the body on the floor with panic and dread in his eyes. Jexebel followed his gaze, only then realizing that Elena had been hit.

“Oh no!” She said. She ran and dropped to her knees beside Elena, tearing the headgear from her body. To her everlasting relief, Elena moaned weakly. She was still alive.

“Ouch.” She said, sitting up and rubbing the side of her head.

“Oh god . . .” Tseng ran to her, pushing Jexebel out of the way and embracing Elena. “How . . . That was a perfect headshot!”

“This armor is amazing. We should copy it.” Her voice sounded distant.

“I guess the impact is what took her down. She’ll be okay. Probably just a bit loopy for a couple hours.” Jexebel reassured Tseng.

“Why didn’t you tell us you were coming . . . especially dressed like that! We could have killed you both!” Vincent scolded, taking Jexebel into his arms.

“We couldn’t. It was too risky. Where are Reno and Rude?” Jexebel said.

“You knew they would be here?”

“Yeah, we heard them tell you.”

“Come out, then.” Vincent said. Reno jumped out of the tree directly above Jexebel, and Rude lifted himself from a covered ditch.

“Kay, listen. When we were in the crypt, a commander came to us and told us that there are five battalions supposed to be on their way here, and there are four more on their way to every entrance of the mansion. We can take it, but we’ll need more than just us to do it.”

Tseng stared at her. “How would you like to be a Turk, Miss Strange?”

“No way in hell.” Everyone but Vincent narrowed their eyes.

“No offense, I just . . . I have a problem with authority.”

The conversation was cut short by the thunderous sounds of hundreds of footsteps making their way into the clearing.

“Come on.” Rude said. “There’s a bunker this way.”

“You people have bunkers everywhere!” Jexebel exclaimed as she was almost dragged behind Vincent. Elena grinned at her, looking dazed and almost drunk.

“Our missions get dangerous. Sometimes we need safe places to hide out for a while.” Reno supplied.

He kicked a knot on a large tree and the ground began to shake, suddenly lurching and opening to reveal a large ramp.

“Come on. They probably heard the doors opening.” Tseng said. Once inside, Reno flicked a switch and florescent lights lit the bunker. This one was just as big as the one in Midgar, if not bigger. Tseng pushed a big red button and the ground closed up again, leaving the clearing looking just as innocent and peaceful as ever.

“Let’s get some sleep.” Tseng said, hitting another switch and dimming the lights. Reno, Rude, you get the bunks over there. Vincent? You and Jexebel take the room down the hall.” He took Elena’s hand and tugged her in the opposite direction from the other rooms and through a large door.

The remainder of the group separated.

Vincent went inside the room assigned to them, but Jexebel did not. “I’m just going to the restroom.” She said. She rinsed the dirt and sweat off her face and stared at herself in the mirror. It bothered her that she felt this uniform was normal attire for her.

When she returned to the room she and Vincent were sharing, she was greeted . . . violently.

As soon as the door was closed behind her, she was roughly shoved against it, Vincent’s hand covering her mouth to muffle her startled yelp.

“Don’t you ever do that to me again!” He snarled against her throat. He pulled her away from the door, only to slam her against the wall next to it. He shoved his knee between her legs and pressed his weight into her.

“I’m sorry!” She gasped. “You know I had to, Vincent! You would have done the same thing!”

He growled and pushed against her harder. Then, as if she had risen from the dead, he pulled her against him and hugged her so tightly she thought she would suffocate.

“I was so worried about you.” He said.

“I’m sorry.” Jexebel said again. She pushed away from him, and used her hands to tug his face down to hers.

Vincent ravaged her like he was never going to see her again.

“Get this disgusting suit off of me!” Jexebel said, guiding Vincent’s hands to her body. “Please!”

Vincent smiled wickedly and slowly slid one of her knives from its sheath at the base of her spine. He flashed the blade before her eyes, and then dragged it down her chest, slicing away the material of the uniform. When the blade reached her stomach, he pressed a little harder, barely scratching the skin and drawing a light trickle of blood. Jexebel hissed as Vincent lowered himself to his knees and kissed along the scratch, covering his lips with her blood, his tongue flicking out to taste the coppery sweetness. He lifted each leg and yanked her boots off of her feet. He then slid the uniform completely off her body, very pleased to see that she wore nothing underneath. Without warning, he slammed her back into the wall, sliding her legs over his shoulders and attacking her heat viciously.

Jexebel whimpered and arched her back as Vincent thrust his tongue inside her opening.

“Be quiet.” He said, his voice muffled by her heat. “They’ll hear you.”

Jexebel bit her lip and squeezed her eyes tightly shut. She threaded her fingers through his hair, and pulled out the tie that held it in a high ponytail. The corn silk fell through her fingers, shining in the dull florescent glow.

Vincent stretched his tongue high inside her, scraping his teeth against the little nub above her opening.

“Vincent!” Jexebel whimpered. He moaned into her heat and slid his tongue out of her to flick her clit back and forth. His hands kneaded her backside as his lips closed over her and sucked at the little bud. It was too much. His hot mouth and slick tongue against her was driving her mad. “Stop teasing me!” She begged.

Vincent lifted himself from his knees, letting her legs down in the process. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, and then slowly removed his clothing. Jexebel stared into his eyes and skirted past him, turning to face him again and backing toward the bunk. She crawled onto the blanket and pressed her chest to the mattress, her backside swaying seductively as she waited for Vincent to join her. He watched her with dark eyes, making for the bed like a lion stalking its prey. Jexebel turned her head sideways and looked at him again, wondering why he hadn’t come to her. He stopped beside the bed, then reached down and took hold of his shaft, stroking softly, letting Jexebel watch as he worked himself to erection. When he was granite hard, he stopped, staring down at her. When her eyes found his face again, he crooked his finger at her, beckoning for her to sit on the edge of the bunk. She did.

He simply stood there, unmovable and imposing; his arms crossed and legs braced apart. Jexebel smiled softly, leaning toward him and placing a light kiss on his hipbone. Her smile widened when his muscles jumped the slightest bit.

“Is this what you want?” She asked, her voice soft and sultry.

Vincent grasped a handful of her hair and forced her face to face with his erection. She licked her lips and placed a feather light kiss on the tip. He shuddered. Jexebel leaned in and finally – blessedly – took him into her mouth, and it was better than the first time. Vincent threw his head back and let out a ragged groan, releasing her hair and running his fingers through it.

She took him into her throat and sucked hard, swirling her tongue around him slowly. She pulled off of him and did it again, taking him further into her mouth, rubbing the underside of his shaft with her tongue. She reached up with one hand and massaged his sac, pulling off of his shaft to nip lightly at the soft skin after her fingers ghosted over it. He gasped and jerked a bit.

“Jexebel . . .” He breathed. He could take no more. He pulled her up and turned her away from him, forcing her legs apart as she braced her arms on the top bunk. She lifted her right leg to rest on the bottom bunk to give him better access, and he took advantage of it, sliding his erection across her backside and finally sinking into her heat.

Jexebel leaned back against him, laying her head on his shoulder and bringing one had up to cup the back of his head. Vincent leaned into her touch, nipping lightly at the back of her shoulder. His rhythm was fast, hard. He wasted no time taking her with near violence. She had scared the shit out of him today. He honestly thought he would lose her. That would not happen again!

That thought brought new rage and he thrust harder, roughly dragging his hands up her body. One hand cupped a full breast, and the other gripped her throat. Not tightly, just enough that she could feel the pressure.

Sweat poured off their bodies, shining in the dim lighting. Jexebel pulled away from him and bent over the bunk, pushing back against him, urging him to move faster, thrust harder. He wrapped her long hair around his hand and yanked her head back, forcing her to ride him harder. She cried out and again, bit her lip to try to quiet herself.

Vincent growled and pulled out of her, shoving her onto the bunk and forcing her to her hands and knees. He thrust back inside her, forcing her head to the bed. In this position, he was able to strike more deeply inside her than before. Her cries were becoming harder and harder to silence. Vincent reached around her with one hand and rubbed frantically at her clit, nearly crying out when she came hard, and without warning. Her walls tightened around him and for a moment, he had to stop. He was not ready to give in yet. He would never be ready. He wanted her forever.

He wanted her to love him.

Holy shit.

He was still for a long while, and for that while, Jexebel thought he was finished. Until she tried to shove him off of her and lay down. His hands tightened on her hips.

“You’re not going anywhere, girl. I’m not finished with you yet.” He growled, his hot breath sweeping across her ear and sending shivers throughout her body. He flipped her over and entered her again, thrusting as hard as he could, as fast as he could. His eyes bore into hers, trying to read her thoughts, it seemed.

Jexebel hadn’t expected this . . . possessive . . . side of him. She loved it. She felt . . . Loved.

‘If only he really did love me.’ She thought. She gave herself over to her feelings, and before long was thrown into a violent orgasm yet again.

This time, Vincent could not hold out through the storm that ravaged Jexebel’s body. He thrust out of rhythm, biting into her shoulder to keep from screaming, as the waves crashed over him like nothing he had ever felt before. He collapsed on top of her and held her to him tightly.

“Vincent.” She said after awhile. Her voice sounded tired, but happy.

“Hm?” He grunted, almost asleep.

“You’re crushing me.”

“Mm.” He grunted. He rolled off of her and pulled her to him. She snuggled into his side and leaned over him, kissing him softly, molding her lips around him and wishing that she had the courage to tell him what was in her heart. She pulled away and stared into his eyes; bright, beautiful crimson orbs.

A few days prior, when she awoke in the hospital wing of the Inn, she heard Vincent thank Tifa for bringing her into his life, but consciousness was not entirely hers at that precise moment, and she couldn’t be sure she’d heard him correctly.

The way Jexebel was looking at him was making him uncomfortable. Hopeful, yet sad. He kissed her jaw, and let her settle down next to him before pulling the blanket up over their sweaty bodies.

‘I love you.’ He thought before drifting off to sleep.

If only he had the courage to tell her what was really in his heart.