A/N: wow comments XD I'm glad...

I'll try and update as soon as I can, though I can't guarantee it because of this thing called school . yeah I know it's confusing, but now I finally have my ideas set straight and I know what I wanna do with this fic. As a reminder, I didn't play the game and probably never will so the story won't follow the action completely. I know what happened, I know some details but, really, I don't want it to be like the game. So sorry if the characters are a bit off their normal behavior or if the action takes place differently than you knew it. But hey, that's the idea of a fic no? play around with the characters as you wish or make some things happen differently. So…yeah…^^ on with the next part:

~*~

"Hello Friday night!" his sigh could be heard ten blocks from where he was. He didn't give a damn, even if he was sure Tseng was eyeing him suspiciously. Reno grinned. "I'm out yo, see ya… in a while" his hair dangled at his back as he exited the office, leaving his superior massaging his temples. "And hello freedom" his tone died on his way out. It was a routine by now. Be excited during the week, look forward for this free time and then realize that it wasn't even worth it. His eyes wondered off as he walked out of the building, saying his goodbyes left and right. It wasn't a long walk to the parking lot, but Reno felt the cold chill him to the bone as he made his way to his car. Of course it had to be at the end of the row, near Tseng's very new and very expensive model. His on the other side, was a 'fucking old rust bucket', as he'd put it every time. "Burn the jack and gimme a 'copter yo" he muttered as he fished for his keys in his pockets. Now and then he had the urge to just drop a scratch or two on his boss's pride, but he knew better. It'd come out of his salary, added a tutoring lesson on how to respect other people's belongings. It was cold in the car as well since he never got around repairing the heater. Who needs heat in the middle of winter anyway? Not him and not his freezing hands on the wheel. The engine started at the third try. "Third's the lucky charm" he whistled bringing the car out of the parking lot. It reached the incredible speed of 60 miles per hour and on its good days too. But now he was in no hurry. Usually he'd just drink his night away, ignoring the stares and the comments he got. He was off duty thus he didn't need a fight. Of course, from time to time he wished to do something different, but the situation never helped him. Hard mix was his only friend on a Friday night. So be it for tonight also. He pulled the car in front of the first bar he saw, not bothering to lock it up. Whoever would steal it would do him a huge favor.

One step after another, again ignoring the stares he got due to his reputation, he headed for the bar up front, almost in cadence with the rhythm of the music. He hated it, but at least it got his mind of other unwanted thoughts. His palms hit the bar, announcing the tender that he had a client.

"What'll it be man?" eyes lingered on his tattoos and then down his body scanning for any weapons.

" 'm off duty yo, no need for a check-up, unless ya want something else from me" Reno winked and then took a seat. "I'll have a mix" usually, when he said that, it meant he wanted to get wasted. The word spread around the bars so whenever he came, the drinks were ready…especially on a Friday night.

"Don't need trouble man, no need to be pushy" the barman lay the glass in front of him and moved to the other customer. Reno took his time looking at the liquid and thinking of nothing.

"Oy, cold beer and a whiskey" the voice next to him made him jump off his seat. Well…almost. He looked from the corner of his eyes at the figure standing next to him…and groaned. He didn't need this. But maybe this chance presented him with the opportunity of doing something different for a change.

"Drowning your week in alcohol SOLIDER? What example are you giving out?" Reno barked at the man next to him, resting his elbows on the counter.

"Wouldn't say that, from my point of view you're doing quite the same" the remark was bit back but on a softer tone.

"I don't have an example to set yo. How come you're not swinging your big bad sword at me?" though his words were expecting it, Reno made no sign of defending himself.

"I'm not on a mission and the same goes to you. So we're cool" the man took off his buster sword and rested the handle on the chair next to him, almost like wanted to prove his words. For a few minutes, silence lingered between them, no words exchanged, just the small noises around them. A buzzing sound broke the silence but Reno made no gesture towards his pocket.

"Ain't you gonna answer it?"

"No, I'm off duty, they can get it done without me" another swing of the drink as Reno waited for the buzzing to stop. It did, after some time. Then it was quiet again. "Yo, Zack…" Reno grabbed his drink and held it up with a small smile on his face. "Cheers man…" clearly, the other was surprised. Nevertheless, he grabbed his whiskey and returned the gesture.

"For?"

"For…tomorrow…and the day after and so on" he stopped when he saw his smile reflected on Zack's face.

"You're a weird one"

"You're the first one who had the guts to tell me this" Reno frowned and then relaxed in his chair. "Cheers for that too…" gulping all the liquor in one drink, he set the glass on the counter and then got up.

"Wasted already?" Zack returned to his beer as soon as his other drink was done.

"No, I thought of changing it a bit for tonight." Reno turned his head to wink at the man. "You know…try something different, always wanted that" he smiled and then headed for the exit. "It's a start…it's something different" his thoughts swirled in his head as he walked towards his car. Halfway though he stopped and looked back at the bar. "Different eh?" a grin appeared on his face. Fishing through his pockets he got his keys and pondered a bit. "Might as well do it all the way…". With heavy steps he made his way to the car. " 's been nice swearing you…but our ways part here I'm afraid…you see…I'm changing tonight" he let his fingers linger on the wheel before placing something down next to him. Two fingers were brought to his temple, as he walked away. "Three…two…one…" and then he lowered them in a last salute. A crashing sound followed but he made no gesture whatsoever. He just kept walking. Some people ran out of the bar to see what the commotion was all about. Reno walked past them, heading for Zack.

"You really outdone yourself" he said with a smile.

"It's….different" Reno grabbed the beer bottle from Zack's hand and took a gulp. "Cheers for changes yo" he didn't return the bottle but walked down the road.

"Yeah…" Zack kept his eyes on the fire in front of him. "But you're still the same Reno…"

~*~

You think you have a dream; well…all of us have it actually. But what happens when everyone but you can reach it? Hands touching the surreal border between reality and imagination, but yours dies as soon as it raises. Yeah it happens sometimes, but this is getting annoying.

The concept of change came in my mind once…well ok, more than once. You could say that I wanted to change…or let's say change some things that happened in the past, but then I wouldn't live to regret them no? I wouldn't have memories to despise and feel sorry for…so I guess it's all according to an unwritten plan. I only wish I knew the script before I began playing…that way I could have changed something…or at least try to.

But as they say, no use crying over spilled milk no? So I'll quit ranting about what could have happened and what didn't happen. It's all in the past…and as far as I remember, this is the present. Sometimes…when the two collide, memories surface and I live through them just to be sure they were once real.