Alone
Running
AN: I own nothing in this story. This was inspired by a scene from Metal Gear Solid 4. Please R&R.
Reno tossed and turned in his sleep. Images rushed through his brain, his body tensing as it felt phantom pains, his flesh no longer that of human skin but something artificial along with his blood, once as crimson as his hair now as white as the surface of the moon. He had been on a mission to rescue Elena's daughter when they captured him and tortured him. Luckily a doctor had been able to save his life but only by turning him into some kind of cyborg.
The former Turk opened his eyes. Someone was coming in the room. Unfortunately he was in a medical hospital and had no real means to defend himself. However when he saw who it was that came to visit him his body went stock still. She had changed little in the five years since he had seen her, her hair was still as black as sin and her eyes still held that gleam he used to love looking at. Even after all this time Tifa Lockhart could still make his blood boil.
"Reno…how are you doing?" Tifa asked in a soft voice. He didn't respond. Tifa then spotted a chair by his hospital bed and pointed at it. "Do you mind if I take a seat?" Again she was met by his silence. Reno turned his back to her and stared out the window. "Reno I wanted to say how sorry I am…" Here Reno heard another pair of footsteps. But the noise these feet made were tiny, like that of a child. Reno turned his head and saw a girl clutching Tifa's hand tightly. She had red hair and brown eyes; she couldn't have been more than five years old.
"Reno, this is Elly…your daughter." Tifa said.
"She's Cloud's." Reno said finally speaking. Like the rest of his body his voice had changed as well becoming a bit deeper and sounding almost mechanical. "I don't have a daughter."
"No Reno, she's yours!" Reno's eyes went wide and he shook his head.
"You said miscarriage…" Reno whispered.
"I lied and Cloud…took us in to protect us! He gave up everything for us. I wanted to tell you but I couldn't." Reno turned his body around and placed his feet on the cold sterile floor. Tifa motioned Elly forward and the child stepped towards Reno. Looking down at his daughter he started to move forward but she backed away.
"Scared of me hmm? Well I don't blame you." Reno muttered. Elly shook her head.
"No I'm not scared. I actually think you're really cool, like a superhero or something." Reno gave a small chuckle at that. Elly walked towards him and he picked her up. "My daughter…" Tifa smiled and nodded her head. She too came forward and wrapped an arm around Reno's side. Reno then looked at the mirror and saw the family projected back. "It's like a scene from Beauty and the Beast." he said.
"You're no Beast, Reno you're a father and….my husband." Reno then hugged onto Tifa and Elly tightly and when he spoke again it was in a voice that was near tears.
"Tifa…I'm done running away." Reno said. Tifa nodded and when she looked at Reno it was with watery eyes.
"And I'm not going to be scared anymore. I'm ready to be the wife and mother that this family deserves." She said, wiping away her tears. Reno sighed in contentment as he held his family close to him and together they watched the setting sun painting the sky in hues of gold and pink.