Chapter IV: Recovery Road

Reno stretched, thanking mentally whoever gave him the curaga materia. It helped heal his ribs up and he was mobile again in about a week. He got up, heading for the shower. He glanced into the other bedroom, wondering where Cissnei was. The t.v. was off and he couldn't hear her anywhere within the suite. "Maybe she went out to get us food." He turned the doorknob to the bathroom and opened the door. He stood there, frozen by the sight of Cissnei in nothing but a towel which she obviously snatched when she heard the door open.

"Reno! Don't you believe in knocking?"

"Well, who leaves the door unlocked?"

Reno was right. She shouldn't have left the door unlocked but she didn't expect him to have gotten up on his own so quickly.

"S-sorry. I didn't think you'd be mobile yet."

"To be honest, neither did I."

"That's great, Reno. I'm happy for you," Cissnei started. "Now get out so I can get dressed!"

She glared at Reno who was apparently glued to the floor. She throws a shampoo bottle at him and he snaps out of the daze he was in, leaving the room. Cissnei slams the door shut and begins dressing. She had gotten everything but her shirt on when the door opened again.

"Do you have a death wish, Reno?"

She turned around as Reno grabbed her arms, preventing her from punching him. He lowered his head down to her height and kissed her forcefully. Cissnei stiffend, her whole body screaming in protest or so she thought. Her brain screamed for his execution but her heart was racing, pounding in her ears. She managed to move her arms up and shoved him away.

"Reno, what the hell?"

"Heh sorry. Your just too cute. I can't help it, yo."

"Reno?"

"Yeah?"

"Get out!" Cissnei's voice had a murderous undertone and he ran out of the bathroom, slamming the door behind him. Cissnei grabbed for her shirt, a silk button up, and put it on, fumbling with the buttons. "What the hell is Reno's problem anyway?"

Cissnei emerged from the bathroom, shirt buttoned and fresh makeup applied. Reno was sitting on the couch, flipping lazily through the channels.

"Hey, Ciss. I ordered us some lunch. You want some?"

Cissnei looked down at the coffee table at the food fresh from room service. 'He did that then acts like nothing happened?' Cissnei feels her anger and desire to kill Reno growing and turns on her heel towards her room.

'I can't believe him. He acts like that, especially after saying all those weird things! How can he do this?' Cissnei paced back and forth, calming herself down. She eventually walks back out and joins him in eating, not saying a word. Her mind was still tryinf to make sense of everything.

"You okay, Ciss?"

"Fine," she replied in a flat voice, a slight waver in her voice.

Reno notices the wavering in her voice and puts down what he was eating. "You're not fine, Cissnei. What is it?"

"What's with you lately?"

"Huh? What are you talking about?"

"I mean, you pay me compliments then laugh it off, saying it was just a joke. Then you barge into the bathroom and…kiss me…and I'm wondering why…and if you tell me it's the medication, I swear I'll"

"Cissnei?"

"What?"

"Calm down. You're getting so worked up over this."

"Don't you dare try to snake your way out of this, Reno. I want a real answer. Now!"

Cissnei's eyes were burning with rage and Reno squirmed a bit in his seat. He knew he'd better explain himself quickly before Cissnei clocks him one.

"All right I'll explain just…don't hit me with a plate okay?"

Cissnei stared at her hands and noticed the heavy black plate she was holding. She places it down on the table and nodded. "Sorry."

Reno watched her put the plate down and began his explanation. "Look, I don't get it either, all right? I mean, I've gone on missions with you before and never felt anything. I never expected myself to react like that. I knew what I was doing when I went over to that sleeze bag Sal. I knew I was defying orders but I couldn't stop myself." Reno shrugs. "Guess I was jealous or something. I don't know why."

Cissnei sat there dazed. Did Reno really just admit he felt jealous? Does this mean he has feelings for me? She laughed inwardly at herself. Don't over analyze this, Cissnei. Reno is the love them and leave them type. She felt even more confused now, trying to clear her head.

"Cissnei?"

Cissnei could hear Reno calling but didn't respond.

"Cissnei are you all right?"?

"Y-yeah fine."

"You want to go to the beach after? We're still on vacation after all."

Cissnei could feel herself returning to normal and a small smile crossed her face. This side of Reno scared her but she was glad to see the old Reno coming out. She nodded in response. "If you feel up to it, yeah."

"Are you kidding? I've been trapped indoors for weeks in a vacation spot in summer. Of course I feel up to it."

"Good then we'll go in a little bit all right?"

Reno nodded. He finished eating and cleaned up his dishes in the small kitchenette. He then disappeared into his room and Cissnei could hear him rummaging around.

The beach was rather vacant despite the gorgeous weather. Reno set up the lounge chairs near some palm trees. Cissnei took off the dress she was wearing to reveal her new bathing suit. It was white with black polka dots and much…sexier than the pale yellow number. The top was tied behind her back and around her neck. Two triangle shaped pieces of fabric covered her top half. The bottom was a low cut bikini bottom that tied at each hip.

"Doubt that's a ShinRa approved swim suit," Reno muttered.

"It's something I picked up while shopping." Cissnei smiled wide. "Glad you like it."

"Yeah I think I like it too much."

"Oh?"

"You're driving me crazy, Ciss."

"Oh, sorry."

Reno reached up for her from his chair and pulled her down to him.

"Reno what are you doing?"

Reno smirked evilly at her.

"R-reno."

"Oh come on, babe. Relax we're on vacation. No one's here and no one who is cares."

Cissnei wiggled, trying to get free from him though part of her didn't want to. Reno smirked, gripping her tighter as if teasing her.

"You're so persistent. It'd be cute if it weren't annoying me right now."

"Reno…"

Cissnei, lighten up would you? If you really wanted to get free, you'd find a way. You're tough like that you know."

"Re…"

"Am I going to have to kiss you again?"

"I wish you wouldn't act like this."

"What?" Reno smiled, trying not to laugh. "Can't you ever just go with your feelings Cissnei?"

"Never mind. You're the worst, Reno."

She wiggled free of him and headed towards the water. Her head was spinning and her heart was once again pounding in her ears. She slipped into the water, letting the cool waves wash over her. She let her guard down and allowed herself to enjoy the ocean. She didn't notice Reno coming up behind her and he didn't notice what he was doing until his arms were around her.

"Reno?"

He heard her soft, smooth voice calling to him but he didn't respond. Well, at least not with words. He pulled her close to him, his bare chest brushing against her bathing suit top. He looked into her golden eyes and saw a look of fear and uncertainty but also od longing. She seemed as confused as he was. Still, he couldn't stop himself. He touched his lips to hers and it felt good, there was no denying it.

Cissnei felt Reno's lips on hers and her heart was again racing. She couldn't understand it but it felt amazing. She kissed him back, deciding to follow Reno's advice and go with her feelings despite everything she was taught to the contrary. But it was vacation after all. She threw her arms around his neck and Reno's eyes widened in surprise but he didn't question it. He'd be an idiot if he did.

Cissnei pulled away a few moments later and stood there stunned. She regains herself and begins speaking.

"Uh…did that just happen?"

"Pretty sure it did, babe."

"Don't call me that," Cissnei snapped, her pleasant expression from a few moments ago changing into anger. "I'm not a babe, least of all yours."

"You're wrong, Ciss. You are definitely a babe."

Cissnei raised her hand to slap Reno but Reno caught her hand before it connected.

"Hey, you're the one that threw your arms around my neck. I wasn't forcing you."

Cissnei wiggled her hand free and rested it at her side.

"I guess I was feeling a little appreciative of your actions against Sal"

Reno raised an eyebrow in question. "Oh is that all?" He asked in a taunting tone. "Seems to me you enjoyed it."

Cissnei blushed, turning away from Reno. "So what if I did?" She asked, staring out at the ocean. "Maybe it's just been a while."

"Why can't you just admit it?"

"Admit what?"

"You like me," Reno stated, plastering a serious expression on his face before cracking up.

"I…I do not!" Cissnei insisted before socking Reno lightly in the stomach to stop him from laughing.

Reno made a slight oof at her punch before ending his laughing. He looked directly at her. Her eyes were burning with fury but she seemed hesitant to actually hit him again. An awkward silence fell upon them until Reno broke it. "You know, I really was just kidding, yo."

"No you weren't," Cissnei responded flatly. "You've been uncharacteristically serious ever since you started feeling better…no, ever since we got to Costa Del Sol."

"How…"

"I'm good at reading people, Reno. Especially people I see daily. Now answer me one thing: am I different to you?"

"Different? Not really. You're Cissnei."

"No, I mean I'm not going to be some play thing am I?"

"Er?"

"You never expressed any interest in me before this trip. Why now?"

"I already told you I don't understand it either but it feels different."

Cissnei shot him a suspicious look. "It's not because of how I dress outside of work?"

"Maybe a little." Reno said, preparing to get hit. He relaxed when he heard Cissnei laugh. 'Such a cute laugh. Can't believe I never realized it until now. She's completely adorable.' Reno shakes the thought away. "Cissnei?"

Cissnei stopped laughing when Reno called her name. "Yeah?"

"So, you, uh…want to give it a go?"

"Give what a go?"

"Us, dummy."

"I don't know I mean if it doesn't work out it could get complicated…"

"Cissnei, for crying out loud, would you please stop over thinking stuff?"

Cissnei went to say something in protest but stops herself. "On one condition."

Reno sighed. "What?"

"We try not to let this interfere with our jobs…oh and we don't tell Tseng."

"Hey business before pleasure I always say…and like hell I'd tell Tseng anything."

Cissnei nods before brushing past Reno, their skin touching just enough to give her goose bumps. She makes it back to their things and sits down on her chair.