Chapter 7: A Fair Exchange


"Hey Aeris, How have you been?" He said and sat on a nearby chair, but not before testing how sturdy it was.

"I've been good! I just came to take care of my flowers." She gave him a shy yet bright smile over her shoulder and reaching down into the water, mixing the contents she had just added to the water. Something was telling him that things weren't as good as she tried to make them seem.

He watched her for a moment, just admiring her and the obvious pleasure she seemed to take in tending to her precious flowers. 'I wonder what that's like?' He asked himself quietly. 'To actually do something you enjoy doing. To never have the stain of death on your hands. It must be nice.'

"Reno?"

The red haired man looked up and shook his head. "Sorry Aeris."

"You looked kinda distant…I was getting worried." She said, turning to him with the watering can. Green eyes watched as he stood and led the way out of the back room. She moved to the center of the church and began watering her flowers as the man with aquamarine eyes watched her, but oddly enough, she didn't feel self-conscious or uncomfortable about it. He was a Turk, somewhere deep within her psyche, she knew that she shouldn't be near him, but her heart and soul told her that she was safe near him.

He watched as the smile grew a bit more and couldn't help when his own lips turned upwards. "Aeris, there is something that I want to talk to you about."

The last of the water was poured from the tin before she looked up to the taller man. "Yes, what did-" She started and froze in embarrassment as her cheeks turned an interesting shade of red when the sound of her growling stomach filled the quiet church. "Sorry, I haven't had a chance to go home yet."

Reno's smile widened further. "It's okay Aeris. Come on, I'll buy you lunch. I haven't had anything yet either, we can talk over lunch."

"Oh no! You don't have to-"

He waved his hand slightly and shook his head. "Don't worry about it. Besides, I insist." He said and chuckled when he saw her shoulders drop in defeat.

"Okay." She said shyly and walked to the back room and returned the can before grabbing her staff and her nearly empty flower basket. She moved to his side and looked up. "I'm ready, Reno."

The Turk to the young woman and nodded, leading her out of the church and towards a small café he knew of in sector three. Sideways glances were cast at the pink clad girl as they walked. He couldn't help but to think about how beautiful the young woman was.

Sure, he had seen many beautiful women before, but Aeris was different. Along with her gentle physical beauty, she was genuine and held an inner strength and innocence that could not be matched by any of the other women he had ever met. Her eyes showed the pure soul that she truly was. Even in his drunken haze the first time he had met her, he had seen it.

Reno let out a small sigh as the entered the slightly run down café. He knew that he shouldn't be thinking like this right now, but he just couldn't help it. Aeris was someone that any man would be lucky to have and deep down, he wondered what it would be like to see her smile as she made breakfast, or even watching her as her eyes opened each morning, her hair mussed from a sound night's sleep and those green eyes, though tired, filled with love and affection.

Reno shook himself out of his haze as he sat across from her. She was someone he had the urge to want to protect, not someone he wanted to bed. He wouldn't do that to her because she was...unique. Literally. The last of her kind anywhere on the planet and she deserved someone would love her and devote themselves fully to her.

Inwardly, he cursed himself for his thoughts and lack focus around her, but pushed it aside as the menus were placed before them. "Thanks." He said to the waitress before looking across the table to the green eyed ancient. "Order whatever you want Aeris."

"You sure?" She asked and bit her lip.

"Of course."

The pair read over the options on the menu and the waitress came over and took their orders. Aeris had order her tea and listened as the woman asked Reno if her wanted whiskey or vodka, having apparently served Reno before, but was answered with a sharp no. He ordered a glass of soda and placed their orders of their meals. A few moments later, the waitress returned, bringing her tea and him a glass of soda.

Inwardly, she was glad that he was not drinking and the resolution in his voice when the waitress asked him, told her that he realized that alcohol would not help him deal with the death of his friend. She felt the familiar thrum of the planet increase for a moment within her before it died away. It was similar to the sensation she had felt the first time she had met him. Those who had passed were pleased with Reno's resolve to control his drinking habits.

"Aeris, I know I asked you earlier, and you said okay, but I can tell that isn't the complete truth. How are you doing?" He asked, placing his straw in the soda.

The ancient sighed and took a sip of her tea. "I'm okay, but my mom is sick. I've been up on the plate all morning trying to make enough gil to get her medication to make her well again." She said and saw that he was about to speak but cut him of before he had a chance to. "But I almost have enough so soon she be able to get better." She said in a rush.

"Enough about me," She reached over and touched his hand soothingly. "How are you coping with the loss?" She asked gently as the waitress came back again and placed her soup and sandwich before her before giving Reno his cheeseburger and fries.

Slightly glowing green eyes met hers as he squeezed her tiny hand for a moment before releasing it. A sigh escaped his lips while he opened the bottle of ketchup poured it on his plate. "It's hard…there are some things that I have to work out that I can't even think about right now, but I'm coping. My friends are trying to keep me busy so I don't do anything stupid again." As soon as those words escaped his lips, he cursed mentally.

"Again?" She repeated, meeting his eyes.

"Yeah…I did something stupid. I won't be trying it again. My night in the hospital earned me three weeks medical leave at the least. I…well, I am just glad that I don't have to go back to that place for a while. I just have to have blood work done to make sure my organs are okay or something. I don't pay too much attention to the medical mumbo jumbo…that's what Tseng does.

"If I could chose to, I wouldn't go back…" Reno replied, his eyes distant before regaining their focus.

"Reno, I'm glad you realize that doing that," She said, looking around and seeing that no one was paying attention to their conversation before continuing. "Is not the answer."

"I know, that's why I decided to stop drinking. I tend to do stupid things when I drink." He said with a mirthless chuckle before shaking his head and changing the subject. "What I wanted to talk to you about is the funeral.

"It's going to be held in two days at a church on the Sector one plate. We were making preparations for the services today, but I want something specific for his service." He said, not meeting his eyes as he swirled a fry in the ketchup.

Aeris looked up from her sandwich at the mention of the church in Sector one. It was one that she knew well and had always wanted to see the interior of. It was the most beautiful and elegant within all of Midgar.

"What were you looking for? I'd like to help you if I can." She said honestly.

Reno nodded and looked up to her. "I was wondering if I could get you to do the floral arrangements for Mason's casket and the area around it. You know how rare real flowers are these days. The ones you grow are beautiful and don't look sickly like the ones that you do find at the shops. I don't want silk ones for him. I don't care if the church is decorated with them though." He said. "Of course I will pay you for your time and-"

"Reno, I'd be happy to do it for you." She interrupted the red haired man. "The only problem is Shinra. I will be caught if they see me and I'll be taken and experimented on by that madman…"

"No. I won't allow that to happen to you. You will not be caught because I will protect you. I will watch over you while you set up the arrangements, and we'll do it well before anyone is suppose to arrive.

"You know, the Turks are not looking for you even though, technically, we're suppose to be. The others, they know that I am in contact with you and we have talked, hell, Tseng apparently knows where you live, but we have no intention of turning you in to that fucking mad scientist psycho.

"We only look for you when President Shinra tells us to in a direct order, but Tseng has us search away from your known locations. Rude has even seen you while avoiding your locations, but didn't do a damn thing. When it comes to some things, the Turks are the masters of doing half-assed jobs." He said with a grin.

Aeris thought it for a moment before nodding slowly. She hadn't realize that Tseng was doing so much to keep her safe and the fact that the Turks were going along with him in keeping her out of Hojo's hands made some of the weight lift off of her heart. Of course, she knew that she would have to be careful as far as Soldier and the Shinra guard goes, but she also knew that if one of the Turks were in the presence of them, they would have to act in some way.

"I'll do it for you." She said quietly and felt her heart flutter slightly when she saw the handsome smile that traced his lips.

"Thanks." He said, still smiling as they finished their meal together. For the most part, they shared a companionable silence, but there were a few words spoken about innate things, and both found that they were having a good time in one another's presence.

Reno paid for their meal and the two walked through the slums, eventually ending up in an area with a few dilapidated shops, but all were currently open. He watched as Aeris looked in some of the windows at the wares, occasionally brightening when she saw the things of simple beauty displayed within. A hair clip here, a scarf of pink there. Reno found it all refreshing.

He was so use to women, and especially the floozies that he had dated in the past, that didn't want anything unless it was 24 karat or had extremely high vvs clarity. Aeris was beyond the want of high priced material possessions like some women, she was happy with that she had.

'Any guy would be lucky to have someone like her. One damn lucky bastard...' Reno thought again and looked over, as Aeris was busy looking at the hairclip set. He was glad to see that there was a local pharmacy in this area. The red haired man reached out and gently grasped her arm causing her to turn and face him questioningly.

"Come with me for a sec." He said and watched her nod before leading her over to the pharmacy. After entering, his eyes scanned the contents of the shelves behind the counter. "What's the name of the medication you have to get for your mom?" He asked as the pharmacist approached.

"Um," She started as she reached into the pocket of the red jacket she wore and unfolded a piece of paper she had stashed away. "Its…Hycotinoline, 400 milligrams." She said, looking at the prescription.

Reno took the prescription from her hand and looked it over for a moment then handed it to the man behind the counter. "Fill it."

"Reno! I can't let you pay for that!" Aeris said incredulously. "Its not fair for you-"

"Don't worry about it Aeris. You can consider it payment for the flowers I'm gonna buy from you today." He said, gesturing to the remaining multicolored flowers in the basket.

The pharmacist turned and gave him the bottle of pills and a grinder as Aeris still protested at his side. "Too late, it's done." He said and grinned down at her.

"But the cost of my flowers don't even match what you just paid."

"Well, I don't agree. Ya know that flowers are rare and nearly non-existent in this city. Shinra has poisoned the area so badly, it's amazing that your flowers grow at all in the area. That, in my book, makes 'em pretty rare. Hell, have you seen what the florists' shops are charging for the fake ones? I think it's a fair trade."

Aeris looked up to him and saw that he wouldn't be accepting any arguments, and sighed with a nod. "Thank you so much, Reno." She said quietly.

"No prob." He said as he led them out of the pharmacy. Her reached out and immediately snatched her out of the way as chair flew in their direction. The red head held her against his chest; he could feel her grip on her staff tighten as the fight continued. Apparently, the fight had spilled out of the local bar and they showed no sign of stopping anytime soon.

His arms tightened around her, rubbing her arm gently as if to sooth her. "Come on, I'll walk you home." He said and wrapped his arm around hers as he walked her home. He couldn't help but to think how nice it felt to her on his arm. He looked down and watched as she clutched the staff with white knuckled strength.

"You know, one day I'm gonna test your skills with that overgrown walking stick. I wanna make sure you can protect yourself when things get outta hand…like back there."

Aeris laughed and nodded eagerly as the reached the last stretch to her home.

"I'd like that…" She said honestly.

o-o

As the rounded they corner, Reno was surprised at the home and area before him. It was one of the rare few normal looking homes within the slums, but what really drew his attention was the beautiful and large garden that filled the area with the faint scent of flowers. He didn't understand how it was possible for that beautiful garden could grow down here in the slums. He knew that it probably had more to do with the young woman that grew them, than the environment that they grew in.

"Reno? Are you coming?" She said and saw him nod before catching up with her.

They entered the cozy little home and he couldn't help but to remember when he and Mason lived down here with his mother and Mason's parents. He looked at a few of the faded pictures on the wall and smiled at the cute pictures of Aeris as a little girl. He continued to roam the living room taking in the comforting environment before going into the small kitchen. Green eyes watched as she ground up the pill before adding it to like warm tea with sugar to hide the taste.

She looked over her shoulder and gave him a warm smile. "Would you like some tea, Reno?" He nodded and watched as she poured two more cups before handing one to him.

"I'll be back in a minute." She said and took her cup and the cup with the medicine in it upstairs. He heard Aeris' soft voice as she spoke to her mother and shook his head. There was just no way that he could turn over the little ancient to Hojo.

A few moments later, she returned to the kitchen in time to see Reno washing out his cup. She smiled and washed the two cups she had before grabbing a pair of shears and a small roll of twine, placing them into her flower basket. "Would you like to come out to the garden with me?"

He nodded and followed her out of the small home and into the garden. He listened as she hummed softly and began cutting an assortment of flowers and blooms. She soon knelt on the ground and removed a piece of tissue paper and twine, wrapping the blooms expertly to protect them.

Reno offered his hand to her and pulled her back to her feet. "Here you go!" She said happily. "Reno…I really appreciate all that you've done today."

"No need to thank me Aeris." He said, shaking his head. "I appreciate your help and I'll come back in two days to get you. Just have the flowers ready and I'll pick you up."

"Okay." She said and he walked her to his door and moved to her toes to peck his cheek. "Have a good evening, Reno."

"You too. Make sure you lock up." The red head said and watched as she nodded and entered her home, his cheeks lightly tinted red from the tiny kiss she placed on his cheek. Reno turned and began walking through the slums and back to the station, knowing that a slight smile traced his lips the whole trip.

o-o-Authors Notes-o-o

-Grabs yet another tissue cus she has a stupid cold- Finally done with this chapter! I would like to thank all of you who have reviewed, I really appreciate your kind words. I hope to get another chapter out soon. The next part will be the funeral and burial of Mason…I'm thinking there are gonna be some tears on my part while I write it.

Placebonut: I'm both sorry and glad I made you cry :-) I'm happy you're enjoying my fic! I agree, the Turks are VERY misunderstood.

Raspberry Polar Bear: I get to damn attached to my charries…I love Mason and it still gets me that sad to think that I actually killed him.

Mudskii: I adore Tseng. Plain and simple. Hes just so…well, level headed despite the pain in his life or stress of his job. I'm glad you're enjoying it!

Slow Grafitti: I hope it continues to keep your attention:-D

Izzia: I try to keep everything detailed, but from time to time, I go back and read and see little errors (like everyone has). I try to research a lot of the stuff for my fics (especially the medical stuff) -whispers- or at least fake it and act like I know what I'm talking bout. Lol, its all about confidence! -whispers- though really, I could work on that a lot :-D

Cal reflector: Thank you SO much! I truly hope I continue to keep you impressed. I'm still trying to decide on if I'm gonna follow the storyline of the game or do my own thing…I'm still tempted to do both.

Nori: I try not to develop the relationships too quickly, unless I have the relationship established going into the story. I hope I continue to produce something you would enjoy to read. Right now, its like he feels something, but its coming out as being protective of her for now.

Supagal: Thanks for the support!

FlyHigh4Life: Thankies! I appreciate the review!

Nando the RPS King: Yeah, it sucks, but hopefully with the new job, I'll be able to buy a new one soon. Thanks for the kudos, I really appreciate it!

Eerian: Still trying to get to your ficcies. I'm gonna at least try to do 2 tonight. But I'll have time this coming week because I get a 3 day weekend :-D huggles Thanks for the review darlin!

Random Reno Fangirl 05: I really do believe that Reno is one of those guys that really do care, but he simply can not show it to most people because he has that image to uphold. Reno seems like, well to me, to be the type of person that would get highly pissed if too many people saw through his mask, which is why he sticks with Rude, Elena Reeve and Tseng. I believe that's why he walked through the flowers in the game. When he does that, I can mentally hear him saying 'Sorry Aeris…'

That's true for all the Turks, I think. We have Tseng smacking Aeris in the chopper. Elena trying to punch Cloud in icicle and Rude actually lets his guard down when he admits that he likes Tifa. He didn't know they were there, but you know that he would only open up like that with the Turk 4.

Well, I better be going, got a lot to do!

Love you all!

Ezzy

11/21/05: edited. I apologize for the typos in the last posting of this chapter. The first time I posted, the formatting was messed up so when it reposted, some to the spacing and spelling typos that I fixed, got all f---ed up again. Sorry Cal.

12/03/05: re edited