A/N: :'( My poor, poor fingers I was on a role, and this chapter just happened. I'm really pleased with it, and I figured that 26 chapters in, I probably ought to get a move on with the main plot. So this is a real vital chapter. AND as I haven't had a really good cliffhanger for a while, I put one in for you XD
Enjoy
Chapter 26
While she was working, Elena realized something. That short time ago, when she had been mad at Phoenix for no reason, she finally realized why.
She had been thinking about Reno, thinking about how he used to act. He was a very idiosyncratic character, and no one should be able to take that away from him. There wasn't another person on the Planet that was anything like Reno… until Phoenix showed up. Was her anger at Phoenix nothing to do with Joey's murder? Was it perhaps more to do with the theft of Reno's identity.
"S'up 'Laney?"
Elena's heart leapt. She had heard that simple, mispronounced phrase a lot of times in her life. For a moment, she treasured those words without even looking up, her mind was telling her to stop being stupid, and to look up. But her heart was telling her differently; that Reno was right here in the room with her. The argument inside herself was getting too much to take.
"What do you want?" She said finally, looking up at Phoenix. She slapped herself mentally. She hadn't meant it to sound so harsh.
"What?" The black-haired man came in, sitting on the edge of Elena's desk.
"What do you want?" she repeated, gathering her thoughts together.
"I've been thinking." Elena said. She decided to get it out now before she changed her mind. "There's something about you. Why do you remind me so much of Reno?"
"Reno?" Phoenix paused, looking thoughtful. "Coincidence?"
"No. It's not a coincidence." Elena said commandingly. She was shocked at herself; talking so rudely to him. She had never spoken this confidently to anyone before. "I get the feeling that you know more than you're letting on."
"Know more?" Phoenix's eyes narrowed. "Sorry 'Laney. I dunno what you're talkin' about."
Elena didn't know how well Phoenix could lie, so she still didn't want to take his word for it. But he was looking nervous now, he was cracking. If Elena didn't say this now, she would break first.
"Look. I believe in coincidences. But this is just too much to be true. You talk like him, you act like him… you look like him." Elena said quickly. She felt her throat begin to ache and her eyes were stinging.
"C'mon, Elena." Phoenix tried to reason to with her. "I mean... I wouldn't lie to you, would I?"
"Not purposely." Elena said, re-thinking her approach. "I worry about you."
"What?" Phoenix said. His expression was that of someone truly lost.
"I don't think you… think right. You know what I mean?"
"You think I'm insane?" Phoenix laughed lightly. It wasn't spiteful, so Elena smiled herself. It was amazing how a simple change in the pitch of a laugh could make all the difference.
The black haired man stopped laughing, and looked at Elena. She hadn't realized she had been staring at him. He bit his lip, and started looking slightly nervous again, his vivid eyes staring directly into the Elena's.
Elena melted on the spot. She gave up… he had won. Such a surreally smart person to have won an argument without saying a word. There was just something about his aqua gaze that made her spine tingle.
She leant forwards, so close she could once again feel his warm breath on her cheek. His breathing had steadied and she could have sworn she heard him snigger slightly. But she didn't care. She closed her eyes as Phoenix leant into her, his lips brushing hers. She tilted her head slightly and Phoenix leant in further. She felt his slender arm snake around her waist, and he pulled her closer, so he was supporting her whole weight. He kissed her more passionately, and his hands made her way up to her head, his long fingers combing through the blonde hair. Her whole body shivered and he pulled her even closer. She smiled as Phoenix was kissing her; she hadn't felt this safe for a long time.
As Phoenix hand moved down to her hips, she mover her own up to his porcelain face. She put her petit hand on his cheek, stroking the cheekbone with her thumb. At this moment, she opened her eyes slightly, and there was no mistaking the vivid red that was now next to her thumb.