disclaimer: same old

Author's note: I know this chapter is short, but i actually have plans tomorrow, SO i don't want to leave you guys neglected :)

note 2: reviews are always welcome :) you know you want to!

Chapter 9- Forget It

"How nice of you to join us Reno." His boss sighed.

"Can't you see she doesn't know anything..." Reno shook his head. "This poor girl had the shit beat out of her at the age of six years old, you think your intimidation is going to phase her?" Tseng became a little wide eyed. He remained couched next to the floor bound Aya. "Or does she have to tell you her life story to get you to understand that?" He took the small trembling girl into his arms and beckoned her to wrap her arms around his neck, as he placed his hands on the undersides of her thighs to hoist her properly. "I trust you are no longer in need of her, so I'll be taking her home." He walked towards the door.

"Wait... Reno, I may have another use for her... I believe we could use her as a tool in our investigation, once we find her father, we can use her to infiltrate his ranks. Who better suited to bring his downfall than his own flesh and blood?" Reno's back still facing Tseng.

"Haven't we done enough to this poor girl..."

"I'll do it..." Aya's small voice resonated through the room.

"What?" Reno asked.

"I'll do it... I'll help you bring him down. I don't know where he is, but I want to be the one that destroys the man who destroyed my mother..." She still laid limply in Reno's arms.

"You will be paid for your time." Tseng added.

"His death is payment enough..." He voice was bitter as Reno decided that this was the time to leave the room. He carried her down the hallway.

"I have some paperwork I have to do today, I can get you a cab or you can sit in my office."

"Your office is fine." She whispered still clinging to him. He stepped into the elevator and swiped his keycard to take him to his level as Aya stared out the glass elevator. "I've never seen Midgar from above..."

"Really? I get to stare at this view everyday."

"I bet your day never gets boring."

"You'd be surprised."

"Aren't you Mister Spy Pants?" He laughed a little at this comment.

"I'm not a spy!"

"That's right, if you were a spy you'd use your night vision goggles to be a peeping tom." She snuggled her nose into the crook of his neck.

"Now, now Aya, that's not a very nice thing to say about me."

"I can say whatever I want about you. You're the reason I have a fat lip right now. Jackass." He felt her smirk into his neck.

"I didn't mean for any of this to happen Aya... In fact I tried to avoid it by any means necessary. I'm sorry..." They made it to his level, and he stepped out of the elevator and carried her into his office and went to lay her down on his couch. She stretched out on the couch as Reno flopped into his nice leather chair in front of his fancy oak desk.

"Don't think I'm going to indulge your workplace fantasies because you saved my ass... again." She smiled.

"Dammit... There goes my hopes of getting laid tonight!" He snapped his fingers. "Oh well... there's always that copy room girl looking for a good romp in the sheets..." He smirked.

"Shut up Reno... I'm never joking around with you about sex again, the only thing it gets me is a reminder that I have a gag reflex."

"Oh really?"

"Yes really!" She laid on her back and stared at the ceiling. Then she began to hysterically laugh.

"Holy shit Aya, are you okay?" He got out of his chair and sat on the couch with her.

"To think, after all these years I'm going to see that man again... What am I even going to say? 'Hey jackass I'm here to fuck you up!' God... I hate that man..." Tears began to well up in her eyes.

"It's okay Aya, I'll be there for you every step of the way." He ran his fingers through her hair. "No matter what, I'll protect you." He brushed his thumb against her cheekbone.

"Shut up and hold me already..." She sat up and threw herself into his lap. He wrapped his arms around her waist and she laid her head in the crook of his neck. "You promise..."

"I promise..." He rubbed his hand gently up and down her back.

"You're not going to forget this one are you?" She looked up at him.

"Of course not." He smiled down at the girl in his arms, once again running his fingers through her hair. "You hair is so soft."

"So is yours." She took the liberty of playing with his ponytail. "God, what ever possessed you to grow your hair out?"

"It gets all the ladies." He smiled.

"I like it." She smiled back.

"Told you so."

"Do you know what happens to boy that say 'I told you so' Reno?"

"No..."

"Exactly." She rolled off his lap and back onto the couch.

"What happens to them?"

"You'll find out..." She smirked, after which she closed her eyes. Reno moved back into his chair and began his paperwork. Five minutes later when he knew she was asleep he placed his jacket over her mid-section, and then went back to work.

From time to time he would look over at the sleeping Aya and frown. He knew that he had gotten her into this, he knew that all the things that were messing up her life right now were because of him. He stood up and moved by her side. God... If only... He reached out to touch the side of her face, only to pull his hand back. Being with me would be unfair of me to ask her. As a Turk, I would never be home, never be the man she needs... Forget Reno... Just forget it...