Chapter 12

I have a confession, this chapter always bothered me. So with that said I have pretty much rewritten the whole chapter. I tried to keep the chapter humorous. Pleas let me know your thoughts. Thanks for continuing to come back and I hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: Characters of Melanie and Gabriel; situations are my own. Everything else is Square Enix's property.


Tifa and Reno observed the outside of the Paradise Club, it would open at 9 p.m. So they had till probably 11 p.m. to find a way to get in. Seeing it was 12:30 in the afternoon they didn't have a lot of time.

They started to walk down the street finding people to strike up conversations with. Both were impressed on how natural the other was at asking leading questions without being obvious. Couples, an older man walking down the street, students, they even asked the cashier at the trendy clothing store. Not one gave the answer they were looking for. It's like no one could pinpoint what the criteria was to get in and as hours started to tick away, both Reno and Tifa were becoming discouraged.

Reno let out a large sigh,fidgeting with his ponytail. "I know this Club is still considered new...it's only been around for a little over a year. But how they have kept people from figuring out what tickles the bouncer's fancy is beyond me."

Tifa took a moment to stretch and all of the sudden her stomach made a large gurgling sound. Tifa quickly clasped at her stomach making the futile attempt to silence the noise.

"Let's grab a bite to eat while we eavesdrop on the unsuspecting." Reno said with a smirk.

Her cheeks still had a hint of pink from the embarrassment but she laughed, "As long as your treating."

After grabbing Reno's patty melt and Tifa's chef salad the two conveniently sat near a group of 20's and two mid 20's couples. Tifa was subtly observing them when it occurred to her that for the University this was an extended weekend for upperclassman. That had been half the reason she had picked this time period to come to Costa Del Sol. Though there would be a bunch of drunk horny twenty somethings here, at least she could use force because she wasn't trying to get higher tips. She instinctively cringed. She detested when young creeps grabbed her ass, they always seemed to think it was theirs to do as they pleased with. Tifa was herself still in her 20's, but probably due to all she had experienced and seen she felt older than that. For her the University students were kids. As Reno and Tifa eagerly "attacked" their meals they quietly listened in to the students' conversation.

"So have we finally decided on what we are doing tonight?

"Yeah some of us may need to shop for an appropriate outfit, especially if we are we going to Club Paradise."

"Are you high, you don't just get in, it's exclusive for a reason."

"I heard you have to be young and hot... or famous."

"Well I guess that leaves you out doesn't it."

"Screw you, no they should let most of us from the University in. This is the most business they will see for a while."

"How would the club keep it's reputation if it let in all University students?"

"Do I look like the owner? All I know is that it is an exclusive club but the word is that it shouldn't be hard for us to get in."

"Well whatever we are doing can we get out of the sun now?"

"Oh for pity's sake, you act like you're a ginger and the sun is your enemy."

"Dude no red head with any sense would be out here."

Tifa looked at Reno and he was clearly not amused by the comment. Silently mocking the guy who had made the comment.

The group must have heard Tifa giggle. Because when they saw Reno their eyes got wide.

Reno got up and went over to them, hand extended. "Hello I'm the red head without any sense, nice to meet you."

"Nice one Matthew, you tool." Said one of them as she smacked her friend. "We are very sorry for our insensitive comments."

And with that the group left. Reno saunters back over to Tifa who is holding her stomach from the pain coming from it from laughing so hard. Reno waited for her to recover before asking, "So are we really to the last resort?

Tifa leaned her head slightly sideways, trying to figure out what Reno was saying.

"Ya know use the whole Tifa Lockhart celebrity card?"

"Not an option."

"I know, the red flags would be going off everywhere." Reno said in a defeated tone.

He then sits back down in the chair and leans back while folding his arms behind his head and putting his feet on the table. Of course he didn't see the the slice of pie sitting right where his sandals end up, which allows some of the pie ends up in his toes.

"Aww man!"

Tifa can barely get the words out between giggles. "Smooth Reno, very smooth."

After they had cleaned up the table and his foot. Reno realized the way they had been sitting if he tried to have a discreet conversation with her their whispers would look very conspicuous. So he smoothly moved his seat closer to hers. "Babe you were so far away."

Tifa immediately caught on giving him a subtle nod and smirked. "Please you were just wanting my croutons, that's what's really going on here."

Reno laughed. "Well they are really tempting, look how they look so...crunchy and delicious. They are practically begging me to take them. I can't abide them teasing me like that. He then grabs a crouton and eats it, seemingly pleased with himself.

"So is that how it works for you Reno? You see something you want and you just take it?" Tifa teased.

Before Tifa knew what happened Reno and swiftly maneuvered to where his arm was around her waist and then he gripped firmly to move her so there was no space between them.

"Only if I am highly motivated." He said in a seductive tone.

Tifa's heart started to pound. Was this a test? Was he just playing around? Was someone watching them?

His aqua eyes were so intense, but she couldn't tell exactly what they were trying to tell her.

He leaned in and Tifa was sure he was going to kiss her, she instinctively tensed up and closed her eyes anticipating...waiting. But then she felt his mouth on her cheek, giving her light kisses as he moved to her ear. A shiver went down her spin as he whispered " We are being watched."

Damn it.

For a few brief titillating moments there Tifa thought Reno was making a move on her, but nope just playing a role to see why they were being watched.

Fine anything you can do...

So bringing forth all the bravery she could find inside herself she turned and gently kissed him on his lips. That made him slightly jerk back, the kiss was brief but it had sent electricity through his whole body and this time Tifa moved in whispering in his ear. "Alright how do you want to play it?"

Reno was suddenly having a hard time thinking about strategy. Who knew she would be this good at "undercover work". One thing he knew for sure at this moment...Cloud was an idiot for not taking her off the market. Reno cleared his throat.

"Uh..we see if the PDA makes them move on, if not they will think we are distracted, move closer and once they do..." Reno looked directly into Tifa's eyes. They glistened as if her eyes were actual rubies being hit by light. Why did every aspect of her have to be so intoxicating?

"Got it."

Tifa wrapped he arms around Reno's neck and decided to be slightly bold and kiss him again. This time they both responded by deepening the kiss and within a few moments they had begun to kiss passionately, loosing concentration becoming completely focused on themselves.

Reno tightened his grip on her waist instinctively; Tifa kissed with such passion and so Reno decided to allow himself to show the passion he had for her. I..wish what she was showing me was real but at least, for this moment I can show what I really feel to her.

Tifa was in complete bliss, she had dreamed of how his kisses would feel and they were infinitely better than she had imagined...there seemed to be so much emotion and passion in the way he was kissing her...but how could that be? No, it must just be my passion, my emotions.

"Well, damn Reno looks like you haven't changed a bit baby!" Both Reno and Tifa pulled apart quickly, breathing heavy and trying to regain their surroundings.

Reno tried to get his barrings and looked up at at a lovely woman hovering over him "Melanie?"

"Aw you remember my name, I am flattered...how are you?" Reno had stood up and gave the woman a big hug.

"Look I am very sorry for interrupting you two, believe me, my husband and I were enjoying the show you were putting on."

Tifa turned beet red,even though the strategy had worked Tifa still couldn't help feeling embarrassed.

"Damn girl you're married?! Well if you liked the show so much consider it my wedding gift." Reno and the woman started laughing.

"So I'm gathering that you and your girl are going to be making an appearance tonight at Club Paradise?"

Reno flashed a look at Tifa, the mention of the club brought a few extra flutters from Tifa's heart.

"Well we would love to but I wasn't sure we would get in, they say it pretty exclusive." Reno said casually.

"Oh don't give me that garbage Reno, you know damn well you and your lady friend are hot enough to get into the club."

The lady smiled at Tifa, "And just for good measure I'll make sure I put in a good word for the two of you with the boss."

Tifa could not believe their luck, this person was apparently a regular, did not feel scorned by Reno, and was going to mention them to the one person they needed to see most.

"Oh what does that get us a free drink." Reno tickled the woman's side and Tifa was surprised at how intimate and comfortable they acted with each other, not to mention how comfortable her husband was watching another man flirt and tickle his wife.

"No, it gives you an all access pass." Melanie nudged Reno. Melanie then turned her attention to Tifa.

"I'm guessing she is pretty new to exhibitionism by the way she acted after I came over."

Melanie came over and sat down next to Tifa, "It's okay sweetie, it gets easier." She gave Tifa a huge smirk, "Which in turn helps you take more chances thus enhancing the excitement and pleasure."

Tifa's eyes widened enough to where they were almost bulging. Reno was trying to silence a chuckle by covering his mouth.

"Gabriel loves when new hot and heavy couples come to Costa Del Sol. He just loves a good show."

She then got up from next to Tifa and went over and gave Reno a quick kiss on the lips. "We will see you tonight, I will only give a description of the two of you; I know Reno doesn't like to be bothered when he is on vacation." She winked at Reno.

"So they should let you in...and just for safe measure tell the bouncer Mel says hello. Oh and one more thing, I expect a good encore tonight for me and my husband; right honey?" All the husband did was nod yes.

Melanie started to walk away but then turned back around."Oh and if you two decide you would like to try swinging, please think of us okay?" Melanie was smiling big at Tifa now and all Tifa could do was look down and blush again.

"Bye Reno baby."

"Bye Melanie, you know you still look like you could light a fire with that body, yo." Reno winked at her.

"You know that's right."Melanie chuckled as she went off with her husband.

Tifa was still sitting in the same position trying to comprehend all that was just said.

Reno turned and looked at Tifa again."I can not believe this just happened, can you believe that?"

"Oh sure I was totally expecting exhibitionism and voyeurism to be a part of all of this." Tifa deadpanned.

Reno chuckled. "We will need to be on the lookout for a trap but I think we are finally about to get some real answers about Rude; Iotola; Jenova's Hope." Reno put out his fist waiting for Tifa to make her own fist and have their fists meet with a fist pump. Tifa shook her head, how could someone be so charming, smooth, and then a total goof all at the same time?

"Come on let's walk down to the beach. We need to discuss a plan for tonight"