"So Elena," I leaned over. "Want to go somewhere?" She raised her eyebrows at me. "You know, where we can be alone?"

"Sorry Reno," She didn't seem all that sorry. "I have plans tonight."

I was a little disappointed, but I kept it up. "Yeah," I smiled. "With me." She shook her head.

"No, with me." Tseng had appeared behind us. He put his arm around Elena. I gave him a dirty look. He didn't even blink.

And they walked off together.

I turned on my heel to see Rude watching me.

"What're you looking at?" I crossed my arms.

He was placid. "Couldn't get her, huh?"

I snorted. "Nope." I stopped for a moment. "But she'll come around." I flashed him one of my trademark smirks. "She loves me; she just doesn't know it yet."

"She's with Tseng, Reno, give it up." How could he be so disbelieving? "I'll see you tomorrow, partner."

"Wait," I ran in front of him. "Where're you going?"

"I have a life." He said simply. My mouth fell open.

"What?" I was shocked. He hardly says a word, how could he have a social life?

Rude didn't reply. I just stood there. Everyone had something to do…except me.

That bugged me.

I opted to go home, rather than stay in the alley all night. Not that home was much better; just an empty apartment waiting for me.

I stepped in and promptly tripped over something on the floor. I ought to pick up once in a while, I thought as I rubbed my head. I kicked whatever it was out of my way and flipped the light switch. I threw off my jacket. (I wanted it as far away from me as possible.) It ended up somewhere on the other side of the room. I sauntered over to the sofa. I was about to sit down when my phone rang. I dug it out of my pocket.

"Yo," I greeted wearily. I was tired.

"Hello?" The voice on the reverse was female. "Reno?"

"What?" I was not in the mood for guessing games.

I heard laughter. "Somebody's grouchy."

"Yeah, what's your point?" I snapped.

"Fine," The laughter stopped. "I'll get to the objective." There was a pause. "No one's seen Cloud for a long time. Could you go look for him?"

"So Chocobo Head's gone and disappeared again, huh?" I wasn't surprised.

"Yeah." There was a sigh on the other end. "So will you help?"

I declined. "Sorry Teef, Cloud's a big boy; he can take care of himself." I reasoned.

"But—" She protested.

"He's a man. He can go off when he wants."

Silence.

"I'm sure he'll come back." I assured her. End Conversation. I lowered the phone from my ear. "Bitch hung up on me…" I muttered. I ambled over toward the fridge and pulled out a beer.

I popped it open. The contents hissed at me. I leaned back and closed my eyes. I was alone, but I had a good imagination. Let's see, hair color; eye color; clothing (or not). I opened my eyes. I kept seeing Elena. I need to meet other women…I remembered what she said to me once:

"I didn't want to say this, Reno," I could see the smile hiding on her lips. "But it won't work—us." I had said nothing. "It might be cliché, but I think we should see other people."

Other people? I thought angrily. Like who? The only women I saw were in my dreams. (And I didn't like the alternative.) I took another beer and a minute to reflect.

Then another.

And another.

I laughed to myself. There was no way I was going to get out tomorrow…

A/N: Y'know, I considered naming this story "How You Remind Me." Read and review please. I will continue if/when I get at least three reviews.