Author's Note: Ok so when I uploaded this, the whole thing was underlined and in bold. I have no idea why. I certainly didn't write it that way! But it's fixed now so whatever. I'm sure you guys were just dying to know that. =P Sorry if I share useless information. I'm just like that! Watch closely, because when I talk every now and then jewels of literature fall from my lips! lol I'm strange, get used to it. =P So here is another chapter. Duh. Please enjoy it. =) I will not leave it at a cliffhanger because Naril doesn't like them. =) And I don't know if I'll be able to post a chapter tomorrow night. =( Very busy! So read this, and pray that a miracle occurs and the words just roll of my fingertips and onto the keyboard! Then with a little luck, magic, and a dash of love, a wonderful chapter can be posted tomorrow! Wow, I'm so odd. I swear I'm not drunk or anything. xD So just read and review! Thanks!
Reno walked quickly, carefully searching the shadows for any sign of the target. He rolled his eyes, imagining what Tseng would say if he called to say they'd lost the target. A sound he was very familiar with broke the silence. A gunshot. He stopped and frowned. It wasn't a strange sound below the Plate, but it made him uneasy all the same. Looking back in the direction he'd come, he hesitated. Should I call her? He was worried about Elena. It might not have been her…
His internal debate was decided for him in an instant. He heard her scream his name, and sprinted back towards where they'd split up. Reno panicked hearing how far off the sound had been. It only took him about five minutes to get back to where the road split, but to him it felt like an eternity with Elena's scream still echoing in his ears.
He skidded around the corner and raced up the other street. Something was happening to her, something bad and dammit why couldn't he move any faster? Before long, he saw a body in the street and could just barely make out several shadows in an alley. Laughter reached his ears, making his blood boil. Without slowing, Reno hurtled into the alley and launched himself at the nearest person.
Elena soon gave up attempting to hold her own against the man attacking her. He was harder to stop than a truck and had his friends backing him up. She landed numerous kicks and punches, but nothing stopped him for long. It didn't help that countless pairs of hands were constantly grabbing her, holding her back. Finally she switched tactics and just tried to avoid getting hit as best as she could. Elena could already feel the many bruises and her lip was split.
A hard punch connected with her jaw, sending her reeling to the ground. Stars swam in her vision as she struggled to gather her legs under her and get up. She was dizzy and staggered, grabbing the wall for support but slowly sinking anyway. She was vaguely aware that he'd stopped hitting her, but wished he would instead when he pressed against her, squashing her between him and the wall.
Oh damn no. She shuddered and mentally cringed, knowing what was coming and knowing she was helpless to stop him. Reno, where the hell are you?
Minutes later, she saw the flash of red hair and almost fainted from relief. She barely heard the commotion as the man threw her roughly to the ground. Tears slowly dripped down her face as she curled up tightly. His hands were finally off of her, but she wouldn't ever forget how close he'd been. If Reno had been a second later….she squeezed her eyes shut and desperately blocked the thought from her head.
Reno slammed into a man, knocking him to the ground. Looking around frantically, he spotted Elena. His stomach lurched. Damned bastard! His pulse pounded in his ears as he turned furiously on a man who had dared attempt a punch. Reno evaded the clumsy attack easily, and whipped out his EMR, giving the man a shock that sent him flying into the brick wall. The Turk spun right and left, knocking everyone back, not even planning his movements. He just let the rage take him. His anger multiplied when he realized he had a grasp on the man he'd seen molesting Elena. The look she'd had on her face flashed through his mind and he was seeing red.
The man didn't stand a chance, especially with his friends all down. Reno had the man's arm twisted behind his back and had smashed his face into the wall in a mille-second.
"What the hell did you do to her?" Reno was seething. The man tried to look at his attacker, a frightened look on his face.
"Nothing, man. Just let me go!" All he got was a further twist on his arm. Reno looked for Elena, spotting her curled up on the ground several feet away. She was shaking. With a burst of fury, he grabbed a handful of the man's hair and pulled his head back before ramming it into the wall repeatedly.
"Look at her!" Reno yelled in the man's ear, jerking him away from the wall and throwing him to the ground, "Don't tell me you didn't do anything to her!" The man scrambled up and ran. Reno half pulled out his gun but, his anger suddenly spent, left it. He turned and ran to Elena, getting down on his knees by her.
"Elena?" he said gently, putting a hand on her shoulder softly. There was blood on her face. Her eyes opened and looked up at him, shiny with tears. She reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly. Reno hugged her back, gathering as much of her up in his arms as he could.
"I was afraid you didn't hear me," she said, her words muffled in his jacket, "You came just in time." Her voice cracked.
"I'll always hear you, and I'll always come," he whispered into her hair, relieved to hear he had been 'just in time'.
They didn't move for awhile, just sat there together. Finally Reno spoke.
"We should go. I'll take you home." He felt Elena nod against his chest and he helped her up. She straightened her very rumpled clothing and they walked off, stepping over the unconscious bodies laying everywhere.
"You going to be ok?" Reno's bright eyes were filled with concern as he watched her closely. Elena paused in her doorway, turning to face him with a small smile.
"I'll be fine," she said with a deep breath, "Thanks. For…all of it." She stood on tiptoe to give him a quick kiss on the cheek before disappearing into her apartment.
A rather stunned red-head was left alone in the hall. He grinned hugely and ran off, taking the stairs three at a time.
Author's Note: Well wasn't that nice. =) Thanks so much for reading, especially those of you who read faithfully. And thanks millions to those who review, especially those who review for every chapter! Love you guys! xD
