A/N: I didn't get many reviews for the last chapter. ;~; I was so bummed!

Anyways, on to the fluff?

Oh and if you check mah profile, there's a poll. Totally unrelated to this story but if you read Apartment15B, then it pertains to you. Or you can just vote anyways. Lulz.

Also! It gets kinda dark at a certain point(I swear, it like did it on its own)...so...just a slight warning.


Previously,

Tseng looked up from the file, a ghost of a smile on his face; the paint that was found could be traced.

They finally had a lead.

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The four Turks and the non-Turk sat in the briefing room. Rude noticed that Reno, rather than sit next to his partner, immediately took the seat next to Elena. 'Jealous fool, he doesn't want Seth anywhere near her. Possessive, jealous, fool.'

"Glad you all could make it." Tseng said, standing at the head of the table. Reno grinned a little and kicked Elena's foot under the table. He noticed her lips twitch into a frown and she lightly slapped his leg. "I believe we have found a lead..." Tseng continued—oblivious to the two Turks fighting under the table.

Reno slapped her leg back, so (she really shouldn't be encouraging him, but she can't help it), she slapped him back. Elena couldn't keep her eyes on Tseng because she had to constantly watch her own body to see where Reno was going to hit. He pinched her hip and Elena fidgeted, smacking his hand away.

This is the longest amount of time that Elena has been in a room with Reno and here she is fighting with him like they're in preschool. Elena puts her hands in her lap and interlaces her fingers so she won't be tempted. Take that, Red!

"The three of you will go to the destination and..." Reno huffed slightly, oh she was playing that game now, huh?

Rude wanted to sit somewhere else. He was right across from the two. Elena kept twitching, Reno was smirking and his hands wouldn't stay still. Ridiculous. They were like kids and Rude was the one stuck babysitting.

"Ah!" Elena jumped and all eyes were suddenly on the blonde. She shot a nasty glare to Reno who looked at her with fake-innocence in his eyes.

"Problem?" Tseng asked and Elena shook her head, her ears bright pink as she crossed her arms and gave her leader her full attention. The stupid redhead on her left tried to grab her butt! She decided that she would never sit beside him again.

"Continue, sir. You said the three of us...?" She secretly hoped it would just be her, Reno, and Rude—like the old days.

"Seth will remain here, it's time to teach you the basis of all our work..." Seth raised a blonde eyebrow.

"Paperwork." Reno chuckled under his breath and he and Elena shared an understanding glance. Paperwork had to be the worst part of being a Turk. Elena always got it done, Rude did his share, but Reno...maybe he could convince Seth to do his part of it. Tseng probably wouldn't allow it.

"The files are on your desk." Tseng gave a nod, which was the universal sign for "dismissed" in the Turk world.

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"I cannot believe you!" Elena fumed throwing her arms into the air.

"I thought ya knew me better than that." Reno teased, the pair following Rude down the corridor.

"What if I got in trouble?" Elena's face was pink with anger, something Reno found more amusing than threatening. "What would I have said to our superior!" She angrily stabbed the elevator button with her thumb and turned to face Reno once more.

Despite her anger, it was really difficult to stay upset at him. He always got this impish look in his eyes and this boyish grin that made him look mischievous and innocent at the same time. He was standing there with his hands in his pockets, grinning, while Rude stood beside him like a statue.

She huffed and crossed her arms while waiting for an answer.

The elevator chimed and Rude was the first one in, brushing past Elena who was still glaring at Reno. 'I swear they really are kids. At least this argument will lessen the tension between them.'

"Well?" She resisted the urge to stamp her foot.

"Were ya talkin' to me, 'Laney?" There was that boyish grin again. Ugh! Elena wanted to scream and strangle him. He embarrassed her in front of Tseng! The last time that happened was when...well, that wasn't too bad...they were just close to kissing. Elena flushed and gave up on this argument, spinning around to catch the elevator before Rude decided to close the doors.

"You coming?"

"Nah. I'm gonna head to the helicopter, yo. Destroy my folder with the mission details in it. I don't want anyone takin' a peek." mainly Seth. His inner voice added.

"If I find it, I will." The elevator doors shut.

Reno ran a hand through his hair once his two teammates were out of sight. What was with that blush before Elena went into the elevator? On this mission, I'll try to read her. Rude says it easy... "Aha!" Reno exclaimed aloud to himself. She mighta been thinkin' about that time I kissed her or in Tseng's office when she tried to kiss me. She was the one leaning forward, not me. Reno smirked at the memory and then turned on his heel to head up to the top floor.

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"Costa Del Sol, here we come baby." Reno said adjusting his head-set. Rude was to his right and Elena was sitting in the back. His hands flipped a few switches, his face a cool mask of excitement. He always impressed her when he flew his helicopter. Mainly because Reno was so damn immature and childish sometimes...

But, when push came to shove—he knew his stuff. Elena's eyes moved down to the file on her lap.

Name: Simon Mendoza

Age: 42

Location: Costa Del Sol / Owner of a paint shop that sells art work of the island to travelers / Connection to ShinRa? No previous history with ShinRa. Refer to page 15C form 2 to update any information on this person.

Elena ran her fingers through her short blonde hair. ShinRa...did they have access to everyone's files? They couldn't have information on everyone in the world! Maybe Tseng just could make some phone calls and get information from anyone he wanted...ShinRa had connections...so...

Elena sighed and opted for staring out the window at the clouds, she didn't want to think about it.

"Reno! Your...god...what happened?" She struggled to maintain the level of her voice—she couldn't sound too panicked. The redhead plopped down on his stomach, the blue fabric of his suit drenched in blood, his own or his enemies...Elena didn't want to ask.

"Help me out here, Rookie."He muttered from his spot on the floor. It was all so unexpected! She wasn't prepared for Reno to just show up at her house. She carefully pulled the jacket from his body, her stomach twisted when she saw the gash on his back and the white shirt torn.

"R-reno?" She peered down at him, it was her third month on the job after being set for Reno's replacement. She never thought that she would stay a Turk, she thought after he was healed, they would shove her to a desk job. She figured she did something right to be able to stay.

"I'm alive."His words brought a rush of relief. She couldn't have a Turk dying in her entryway floor, now could she?

"O-okay...I'll be right back!" Elena hurried to throw the jacket away, there was no way he could wear it now. She went to her bathroom and pulled as many supplies as she could into her arms. She pooled the supplies by her fallen Turk and then went to get towels and a bucket of water.

"Reno?"

"Still here." He responded even though his eyes were closed.

"Can I ask you...a question..."

"Mhm."

"Why did you come here...?" She couldn't understand the logic. She was flattered and proud that her superior came here—even though he was a total pain at the office and he was constantly making rude remarks. It was nice to consider he trusted her enough to put his life in her hands. 'I just...can't screw up'.

"Your place was closer than Rude's and I don't like hospitals."His eyes opened and struggled to look at her.

"Okay..." Now it made sense, he didn't come here because he wanted to. He came here out of convenience. She wasn't so flattered and proud anymore. She cut the shirt the rest of the way and cleaned the wound, sometimes hearing a wince escape Reno's throat. She kept blinking away tears...why did she feel so disappointed? She wanted to impress him, Tseng, and Rude so badly.

"Reno, you need stitches..." She sighed softly, she cleaned up the wound but it was deep and just wrapping it wouldn't be a good fix. Temporary, at best.

"Left pocket...of my jacket...cure materia." talking seemed to be difficult for him to do, so Elena 'shushed' him and scurried off to get the jacket she threw away.

15 minutes later...

"Amazing." Elena breathed, the wound had healed but it was still an ugly rouge mark on his back.

"I am pretty awesome." He smirked and slowly got to his feet, Elena jerked her head away and glued her eyes to the floor. She did not need to see her superior shirtless. Now now, not ever.

"Good job, Rookie." He ruffled her hair but Elena made no sudden movements. She was just focusing on the floorboards...she heard his footsteps and then the sound of her front door opening, closing, faint footsteps...Gone.

Elena wrinkled her nose at the blood on her floor. "I wonder if he'll ever tell me how it happened..."

"LANEY!" Elena's eyes snapped open, her chocolate eyes meeting his aquamarine ones. His face was directly in front of her own. She didn't dare move a muscle. He backed away with a smirk.

"Sorry, dozed off." She yawned, glad for the sudden space between them.

"Have a nice dream?"

"More of a memory, really." She answered and then wanted to slap herself. Why! Why did I tell him that! Reno's interest was instantly spiked and he leaned in closer—how else was he going to read her face?

"A-h...um..." Elena busied her hands with organizing the file on her lap. "It was nothing special." She said hoping to convince him. It was such a vivid memory—even more vivid in her dream. The colors felt so bright, so alive.

"I never did look at his file..." Reno muttered, his hand touching hers as he slipped the folder from her fingers. Elena was trying to remember what she wanted to ask him. It was at the very end of her dream, just lingering beyond the surface of her awake mind. Think, Elena, think!

"What happened!" She blurted out—Reno didn't even flinch.

"While you were asleep? Oh we ran into some flying chocobos—I didn't even know they could fly. So we hit them with the chopper blades, ya know, kinda hungry and-"

"No! The night you came to my house!" She cut him off, she was afraid the memory would slip away if she didn't ask him right now. Reno grinned and closed the folder, it had lost his interest the second he pulled it away from 'Laney.

"Oh? Refresh my memory, sweetheart. What did happen?" All sexual innuendos implied, he read her face carefully. First she was embarrassed, noted by the way her ears tinted pink. Then she was just annoyed by his comment, noted by the way she rolled her eyes.

"Pevert!" She muttered before continuing "...three months after I joined the Turks, you showed up at my home with your back all torn up...and you never told me..." Now she was thoughtful, by the way her lower lip stuck out ever-so slightly. Damn! How did he not notice this before? Elena nearly wrote her emotions on her forehead. She was still such a Rookie.

"You really wanna know?" He lowered his voice as he leaned closer and Elena, hesitantly, leaned forward. She really did want to know. She nodded slowly afraid to break eye-contact with the red haired Turk in front of her. Reno remembered that night just as clearly as she had. She was still as green as ever. Still trying to impress him, Rude, and Tseng. Still talking far too much. Still an over-eager, nervous, mess.

"What's in it for me?" Reno asked with a smirk, he watched her eyes narrow and darken in anger. She hated it when he did this! What could she possibly have to offer him? Elena shifted in her seat, she didn't have much Gil on her.

"I don't have anything." She sighed, unaware that her breath ghosted over Reno's lips. That's when the blonde realized how incredibly close he was. She could feel his breath and his nose just barely touched her own. No! This is Reno! He's just...messing with your head! Elena wished she could back up but she was sitting and there was no where to go. He always found a way to trap her.

"How about this...if ya ever see the scar, then ask me." He backed away, pleased with the shocked expression on her face. How would she ever see the scar? It was on his back! Unless...Elena's face paled as she was confronted with the mental image of Reno shirtless.

"Stop messing with me!" She grabbed the folder from his lap and whacked him with it. Reno just laughed at her outburst. Things felt normal between them again.

"I'm back." Rude announced and the two Turks in the back of the helicopter turned towards the voice. Rude raised an eyebrow and sighed, "You didn't even notice I was gone, did you?"

"Nope!" Reno declared joyfully, "So did ya find the place?"

Rude nodded, "Let's go."

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The building was painted around the sides with palm trees and coconuts—even a few pineapples with sunglasses. The windows were open to receive the oceans misty breeze. The door chimed when the three Turks walked inside. It smelled of paint. Canvas's of landscapes hung all over the walls and shelves were decorated with painted sea-shells, glass bottles with ships inside them, boxes of sand that proclaimed to give relaxation.

"It looks more like a tourist shop to me." Elena muttered with Reno right by her side.

Rude was at the front of the store near the cash register. 'Reno, do you even notice how you follow her? How everything she does or says, you instantly pick up on. You have always stood with a slouch or a lean but, when Elena is near...it's like your body gravitates towards her.' The bald man shook his head and tapped the bell on the desk.

"One moment!" A voice called out from the back. A chubby hand pushed aside the decorated beads hanging from the door frame. When the owner, Simon, appeared Elena was not surprised at his appearance. He had a dark tan like most of the residents in this town. He was a short, chubby, and overall round man with beady little eyes and a tiny mouth. His colorful shirt of blues and greens had two buttons unclasped to show off his hairy chest.

"Hello!" He greeted the two males, his beady little eyes going to Elena. "Hello..." his voice came out slower, making Elena feel very uncomfortable. Reno and Rude shared a glance as if to say "this guy is a total sleazebag."

"My, my, I don't see many blondes around here." Simon acted as if the two intimidating men weren't even in the same room. It was just himself and the pretty, cute blonde. "Although, it makes me wonder if you're a natural blonde...hmm..."

"I'm a Turk!" Elena said suddenly, her eyes narrowing. "I ask that you treat me with some respect since I have shown respect to you and your tacky shop." Reno wanted to hug Elena and ruffle her hair. That was freaking awesome. She could be a real spitfire when she wanted to be. Elena folded her arms over her chest and Reno and Rude shared another glance. "Rookie is growing up."

"Ah...I was wondering why you were wearing suits in such lovely weather..." Simon sighed and took out a paper fan from under the desk. He proceeded to fan himself, pursing his tiny mouth in thought. "So? Female Turk...which one of these gentlemen did you sleep with to get your position?" He grinned, his teeth looking far too big in such a small mouth.

His words felt like a bucket of cold water on her head. She would never do that! How dare the man assume such a foul thing! She was so wrapped up in her rage, her mind whirling with responses, that she didn't even realize Reno had moved.

"Reno." Rude warned his partner that had Simon by the collar of his ugly green and blue shirt. Elena's mind quickly processed what had just happened. Simon made a crude comment, she was stunned, and Reno was hissing something into the man's face.

"Threats, hm? Empty?"

"Turks don't make empty threats." Reno nearly growled, he was getting tired of this cocky bastard. He wasn't just doing this because the man had said that to Elena. Reno was a Turk, Turks had pride and Turks looked after fellow Turks. He hurt Elena's pride and like a ripple effect—he hurt Reno's pride. He disrespected Reno. He disrespected The Turks.

"Neither do I." Simon countered, slanting his beady eyes. Reno didn't loosen his grip, if his eyes could light fires, Simone would be a smoldering heap on the floor. Simon lifted his fan...

"Reno!" Elena didn't even think, her body acting on it's own. Her voice had caused the ace Turk to loose his grip—she shoved Reno away from Simon. That's when Rude and Reno realized at the same time why she had done that. The folded paper fan that Simon was holding had four hidden blades.

Elena had just saved Reno's life or at least saved him from serious harm.

"Observant and pretty, my, my, I may have to keep you." Simon said with a lecherous grin. Rude's hidden eyes went to Reno, seeing the redhead clench his jaw in hidden anger. Elena was standing so close to Reno that her sleeve was brushing against his arm. She wasn't afraid. She just didn't like that mans grin—it was more of a leer and it reminded her too freaking much of the filthy pimp; Don Corneo.

"How about you give us a log of all your customers. A shop like this must have records." Rude figured he was the only one fit to negotiate. Reno wanted to rip Simons' throat out and Elena would rather place a few bullets of her own than talk or get near Simon.

"Records that you will never see." Simon spat and Rude noticed the yellow tint on his teeth. The man must smoke. "However...I'd be more than willing to trade." Simon moved his gaze to Elena once more. She felt like snakes were coiling around her skin even though she was covered in her black suit.

"A person is hardly worth those documents." Elena said when she found her voice. She very faintly felt Reno's hand touch her own. It was just a butterfly touch, light and free. He probably didn't mean to, it was an accident. So why? Why did that one feather-touch make Elena feel like all the snakes coiling around her suddenly died? She pushed away her thoughts before she said anything stupid.

"Then...I guess I have no need for any of you." Simon turned his back and Rude felt like there was someone—"Elena!" "Rude!" "Reno!" Three voices shot into the air in unison.

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Elena numbly thanked the nurse as she placed the ice on her head. They were ambushed by Simons' henchmen. When she was knocked out, a sense of fear had gripped her heart. She had trust in Reno and Rude but, what if they were overpowered? What if she was captured? What if...

An image of Simons' smile burned in her mind's eye.

Elena trembled, "Do you need a blanket?" An attentive nurse asked, her eyes briefly looking up from Elena's chart.

"No, thank you." She had just woken up at the clinic. The nurse told her that a bald man had carried her inside and said that she was mugged. So, Elena went with that story. Rude must have been relatively unharmed—the man was good at hand-to-hand combat. He probably wiped the floor with those worth-two-Gil henchmen! Elena felt a little better at that thought.

What about Reno?

"If you'd like, you can sit in the waiting room..." The nurse offered an understanding smile. Elena gratefully took it. She did not want to sit in this examination room when others could use it and she wasn't even terribly injured. Her back would be bruised and her head hurt...she was fine. The last thing she remembered was seeing Reno out of the corner of her eye get his arm grabbed and twisted.

I am sure they are both alright...

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"Nononono! Please! No!" Simon cried out as Rude poured the foul-smelling liquid on him.

"Not in the mood for a smoke?" A voice practically sneered from the darkness. Simon struggled but he was bound to the chair.

"I will tell you everything! Please!" Simons' beady little eyes that had looked at Elena with perverted interest were now swelling with tears.

"We have all the documents we need. You were expecting us but, I think ya forgot who you were messing with."

"They will find you! My men will hunt you down!"

"What men?" Rude asked, raising his eyebrow slightly.

"Monsters! MONSTERS!"

"We're the monsters?" Reno smirked, tossing the file under the man's feet. "All those girls you killed..." Reno shook his head, "We're the monsters?" He repeated and let the words hang in the air.

"They were nobodies!" Simon was crying, salty tears pouring down his tanned face. "Nobody missed them!"

"Nobody? Every. Single. Girl. Was. Here. On. Vacation!" He enunciated each word by splashing a little of the oil onto Simons' face. The man was whimpering apologizes, making bull-shit excuses. Rude came over with the duct-tape.

"Please!" Simon tried one last time but, he knew this would be the end. Rude wrapped the tape around his head once.

"Sooo...ya like cigars..." Reno twirled the blade in his hand. Simon shook his head fiercely. The two Turks shared a glance, no words needed as always. Rude held the man's head perfectly still and Simon was afraid to move—what if moving caused the Turk to break his neck? Reno cut a small hole into the tape and slid the cigar into it.

"Consider it...a gift. A trade." He whispered darkly, aqua eyes narrowing until they were slits. Rude stepped back and Reno flipped his zippo open. The little orange flame jumped and danced before it settled on the end of the cigar. Reno quickly moved back, the hot ashes falling onto Simons' lap.

The Turks quickly climbed the stairs, smoke slowly engulfing the basement as Simon smoked his last cigar.

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"Rude!" Her heart nearly leaped from her chest when she saw him. "Reno!-wait...your...arm." Reno had managed to make a sling using his jacket. They both smelled like smoke but not cigarette smoke...fire smoke.

"I'll be back in a bit, yo." He winked at Elena before some random nurse pushed him away. Rude and Elena stood in the waiting room just staring at one another.

She was afraid to ask but, she wanted to know what happened while she was here. "Rude?"

"..."

"Rude, tell me." Elena wasn't sure if she really wanted to know. If she didn't know it would feel like they were keeping something from her. If she did know, maybe she wouldn't sleep tonight. Then again, she might sleep better...just knowing she was safe from the creep.

"Reno and I took care of Simon. He's having a smoke and thinking about what he said." Rude took a seat on one of the plastic chairs. She let her mind digest the words and she swallowed the tightness in her throat. At least she didn't have to worry about some pervert capturing her and hanging her on a cliff again.

Elena quietly sat beside him and together they waited for Reno...

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"Let's go get a hotel or some shit. The locals say it's gonna storm pretty bad and I sure as hell ain't flying in that type of weather." Exact words when Reno came into the waiting room. Elena eyed him suspiciously. His arm was in a proper sling now, Rude was ironically enough—the first one to speak.

"You can't fly with that on." He said, pointing to the cast.

"For three weeks, I know. I could do it if I tried." Reno shrugged off the comment.

"..."

"Fine! Can we leave now? I hate hospitals."

"It's a clinic." Elena said with a small smirk, she was just relived he was okay.

"Shut it, 'Laney." He returned the smirk.

'Do you see the guilt in her eyes, Reno? How she takes the blame for this one small injury because it was you—always you—protecting her. Even though she had a fight of her own happening, she still worried enough for your well being and my own. I don't think I will let Elena see the cut on my side. No need for her to feel more guilty.'

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It was pouring by the time the three reached a local and nearby hotel. Rude mumbled something about needing a drink, Reno mumbled something about needing a smoke, and Elena mumbled something about needing to use the bathroom.

All three Turks went their separate ways.

When Elena exited the bathroom, she asked the receptionist where people could smoke. "Oh, funny. A man with red hair just asked me the same question a few minutes ago." The woman, who was in her mid-thirties, suddenly gave Elena a knowing smile—like she had solved some great mystery. Elena tugged at the zipper of her jacket.

"Yes, well...where?"

"The courtyard is the best place, should shield you from the rain and there's grass and plants...down that hall and to your left—can't miss it."She smiled another one of those weird know-it-all smiles.

"Thanks."

Once in the courtyard, which was just the space in the middle of the rectangular building, Elena searched for red hair. There were a few potted plants with cigarette-butts sticking out of them. It didn't take her long to find him sitting in the rain on the poorly-taken care of grass.

Elena stared at Reno, the rain...she hated it. It reminded her of how much she could blend into the walls. For so long she tried to stand out against her sister. She sat next to him in the wet grass. The cigarette in his mouth was already burnt out. He didn't even flinch or acknowledge her presence. He wasn't mad, was he?

"Yo." He greeted. He wasn't mad...she could tell from his voice.

"Hi..." Elena responded awkwardly, wrapping her arms around herself in some weak attempt to hold in some of her warmth.

"Reno...I'm sorry you got hurt because of me." She said quietly before resting her chin on her knees.

"Eh. It's nothing." He said glancing over at his now-soaked companion.

His arm was in a sling because his wrist was broken. His only complaint was that he wasn't going to be able to fly his helicopter for a few weeks. That would mean Rude would be flying them out of Costa Del Sol and Reno really loved his helicopter. He trusted Rude with it but, he trusted himself more.

"No, Reno. It's not...I made a stupid...rookie mistake. You could have died." Reno rolled his eyes at her words. "I shouldn't have let him get under my skin like that—I should have been more observant."

"Don't start blaming yourself." He paused for a moment, "And do ya really think those assholes coulda killed me?"

She smiled, despite the awful feeling in her chest. "No. You're too stubborn to die."

"Exactly."

They fell into a companionable silence. Elena sighed and looked up at the gray clouds, the rain sliding down her face. Reno wasn't watching the air in front of him anymore. He was watching the girl to his right, the blonde Turk that felt guilty over his injury. She could be such a Rookie. Had she forgotten that her eyes catching the blade in Simons' fan had saved his life?

Leave it to Elena to focus on her mistakes rather than her accomplishments.

"You okay?" He asked, wondering why he was even asking.

"Good. I'm good. My back hurts like hell, but...no worse than you." She hadn't moved an inch. Her eyes were closed and her head tilted to the sky. Reno smirked and copied her pose. His cigarette fell out of his mouth and to the wet grass. Reno stuck his tongue out to catch the raindrops.

Elena giggled when she opened her eyes. "You are so immature."

He just shrugged, not moving, not opening his eyes, and Elena sighed loudly before coping him this time. Two Turks catching raindrops on their tongues.

'Today...has by far been one of the strangest.' She mused 'I guess...it's all being part of a Turk, right? Expect the unexpected, enjoy the little moments of sanity, and always look out for your teammates.'

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"There is one double room left, sir." the receptionist said to the bald man with the sunglasses. She took his credit card and gave him the room key. "Who are you staying with? Should I be expecting another guest?" She asked politely.

"No." Rude shook his head slightly, his eyes moving in the direction of the courtyard. The receptionist somehow picked up on this tiny detail.

"Oh! That's right...you came in with the blonde girl and redhead." She nodded, smiling, a perfect white smile to contrast with her sun-kissed skin.

"Thank you." Rude left and he felt his little plan was safe—the receptionist didn't seem the type to ruin such a perfect plan like this. He had a certain brunette bar maid to thank for the idea. Her phone call made Rude's heart swell, she was just calling to check up and see how everything went. She didn't ask details, Tifa never asked details, and Rude was grateful for that.

He would tell her someday.

"You should get them a room together—you said the other day that they are dancing around each other. I know, I know, Reno loves the chase."

"Hm."

"But...think of it...as a friendly push in the right direction." She laughed a little then, making Rude crack a rare smile.

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The receptionist gave the two a small frown. "I'm sorry but there are no separate bed rooms left."

"What?" Elena's outburst caused a few heads to turn.

"Looks like we're bunking together." Reno threw his arm around her shoulders but Elena quickly slipped away from him.

"You're sleeping on the floor." She muttered as Reno handed over his credit card to the receptionist. Both Turks missed the quick smile the receptionist gave them.

The room was standard, nothing special, dark green walls and brown curtains. She was exhausted from the day's events—she just wanted to sleep. Reno went into the one bathroom and soon enough, Elena heard the shower turn on. She shook her head fiercely to shake away the mental images. She had thought of him twice today like that. Ugh! Stupid...Costa Del Sol sun! That was it. It was the heat.

However, Elena used this opportunity to change out of her Turk attire. She peeled off the damp layers, glad that Turks always came prepared. Well, she always came prepared. Elena had thought about the weather and with their luck, she had a feeling there would be a storm. So she had packed a small duffel back with her own clothes, toothbrush, hairbrush, and extra underwear. She frowned slightly, making sure to shove the extra panties at the very bottom. No need for a nosy redhead to go through those.

She hung her suit on a rack near the heater to let them dry. She dressed quickly, not wanting to be out here clad in her bra and panties when Reno was done in the shower. Pulling on a pair of black sweatpants and an old-t shirt, she could already feel her body relax as she tugged the covers back on the bed.

The shower turned off just as Elena settled into bed. The bed sunk a little as Reno collapsed beside her. She sat up and turned to Reno,

"You're sleeping on the floor." Elena pointed to the carpeted floor. Reno yawned and turned on his side, ignoring her. If it was any other day, Elena would have shoved him off the bed. But her eyes caught the cast on his wrist and her stomach sunk a little. Just for tonight…

"However, I'd be more than willing to trade..." Reno's eyes opened as if he was struck with his EMR. He sat up frantically, his eyes searching in the darkness for Elena. She was right there. She was fine. Reno bit his lower lip in thought. He couldn't even imagine...'If he laid one finger on you...I would have made his death ten times more painful.' What had gotten into him? When he killed Simon it wasn't just because the guy was a murdering sleazeball that didn't deserve to breath. It wasn't just because he insulted the Turks. It was...because of...

Reno wouldn't let his mind finish the thought. He was tired, his mind was just running away with things—he was reading into this far too much. Reno turned on his side and grinned. Elena was facing him. This was too good to pass up. He scooted closer and put his injured arm around her waist. He closed his eyes, hoping for a hilarious reaction in the morning. He tensed when she leaned into his chest but soon relaxed.

Tomorrow morning was going to have him on the floor laughing, he was sure of it.

&3&3&3&3&

The smoke clung to the ceiling and moved about in puffs and circles.

"Too soon...too soon...we must act with caution."

"But Sir!"

"Silence. I think you forget who is the director of this play...you are only a supporting role and you will do as I say, understood?"

"Yes...Sir..."


A/N: This is the longest chapter I have ever written. I SWEAR. This chapter is almost 6,500 words long.

Holy...wow. Damn...I just kept writing and writing. I guess I was pretty inspired.

Please review?

Come on, you and me, I gave you fluffy-chapter with some bits of darkness with some bits of Reno-confusion and Tifa/Rude interaction and sneaky receptionists!

Even some mystery in there at the end!

So...come on, lemme know what ya think, yo.

I'm trying to be more descriptive and detailed, hopefully, I'm doing alright. XD