Tifa stared at the wall. Sleep was proving to be a lot more difficult than she'd anticipated.

Her mind cycled through events on repeat, desperately trying to make sense of what was going on. Cloud returning, the photographs, the accident… Fighting with Barret… The constant threat of an attack and the inability to predict where it would come from…

Arguing with Cloud and finally understanding that she'd had enough; that she'd somehow reached the limit of her seemingly limitless patience… Hearing his voice forming the words she'd waited so long to hear and feeling nothing but regret.

The realisation had bought with it a terrifying sense of freedom. And with that?

Reno…

The lack of remorse she felt had her feeling guilty; the kind of ridiculous thought process that had somehow ended up ruling her life. Do the right thing, look after people, be kind; she'd tried so, so hard and waited so long for the fairy-tale ending. It had once been so tangible she'd almost been able to touch it. Yet it had slipped from her grasp and shattered, taking her heart with it.

And then he'd sauntered back into her life, all warm blue eyes and sardonic smiles. This man that was so irretrievably off limits; how could she even begin to try and explain herself?

Why should she have to?

She'd wanted him so badly, gods that was true. And he'd wanted her. It seemed such a simple equation but one that had eluded her for so long. So she'd been bold; perhaps a little too bold. Her skin heated at the thought. For once she'd taken a risk and been suitably rewarded. Her body ached deliciously and the broken pieces of her heart were a little less damaged than they were before.

She'd been selfish. But it had been so easy; far easier than she'd ever imagined.

Worry started to creep in. There were too many uncertainties; too many years of heartache muddying the waters. This was another none-starter. There were too many obstacles; too many reasons against it…

"Go back to sleep," Reno mumbled.

An arm wound around her waist, closely followed by leg thrown haphazardly over her thigh; a grunt of effort and his warm body was pressed against her, his face buried in her neck. A contented sigh against her skin set her heart fluttering.

"You're warm." His voice was husky in her ear. "I like warm."

"Sorry if I woke you."

She could hear the awkwardness in her own voice. How was a person supposed to extricate themselves the morning after? She wasn't sure that she wanted to. A small part of her had hoped that he'd be gone; that she'd wake alone. It was a cop-out, she knew. But at least it would've dealt with the awkwardness.

The arm around her tightened, pulling her closer to his chest. "You think about things way too much."

"I have a lot of things to think about," she replied softly.

"I can leave if you want me to." His breath was warm, his voice sleepy in her ear.

She knew, deep down, that she should say yes. This would hurt too many people. Lines weren't meant to be crossed. But he was so warm against her, and the arms that were wrapped around her fulfilled the ache of so many lonely nights spent yearning for something just like this. Her mouth couldn't quite form the words to ask him to leave. Instead she trailed her fingers down the back of the leg that was draped over her so firmly and squeezed her eyes shut.

"Only it's still raining," A kiss, pressed lightly against the skin below her earlobe. "And it's really early."

"That's true."

Another kiss, a touch more insistent. "And I'm tired."

"Hmm."

The arm that was wrapped around her waist shifted, allowing his hand more freedom. Wandering fingers swept gently along her arm, anticipation making her body tremble. Memories of just how skilled those fingers could be chased the darker thoughts away until the only thing she could focus on was the tingling skin beneath his fingertips.

"Did I mention it was raining?"

"I think you did," she murmured, her words stumbling in her throat.

The inquisitive fingers found her nipple. A gentle pinch had her arching into his hand.

"And it's really fucking early…"

He manoeuvred her onto her back, pausing to press his lips to the pebbled bud. Her shuddered intake of breath only spurred him on, his tongue swirling lightly over the sensitive skin.

"I think you might've mentioned that too." She sighed as heat coiled through her.

He settled between her legs, supporting his weight on his elbows. Following their tryst the night before his hair was even more dishevelled than usual; the lengths that had escaped his ponytail teased her skin when he leaned down to kiss her. His mouth was insistent; sleep was apparently the last thing on his mind. When he pulled away she was breathless, skin flushed.

"I thought you were tired?" she whispered coyly, curling a strand of scarlet hair around her finger.

"I am." He pressed a kiss against the pulse in her throat. "So, so tired."

"Reno…"

Tifa gasped when his tongue dipped into the hollow of her collarbone. He looked up at her then, grinning leisurely. She traced the thin tattoos on his high cheekbones and tilted his mouth back to hers.

"What?" His smile was innocent, betrayed by the longing in his eyes.

She kissed him slowly, and felt the tension leave his arms.

"You're a nightmare," she complained as he nuzzled her neck again, unable to prevent the smile on her lips.

"Maybe..." He rolled his hips as though to prove a point, pressing himself against her. "But you're not thinking anymore."

She fisted her fingers in his hair and he groaned against her throat; exactly the reaction she'd hoped to provoke. When his lips met hers again they were hungrier, harder. His hand travelled down her thigh and drew her knee up, and she bucked her hips against him, desperate for the contact she craved.

His PHS rang.

"I don't need to get that," he assured her, panting against her ear.

"It might be important."

"It's not," he insisted.

"Reno…"

He rolled onto his back, reaching blindly for the offending item. He squinted at the screen before he pressed it to his ear.

"Elena. It's five-thirty in the morning," he hissed. "This had better be important."

He'd spread-eagled across the bed, clearly having no issue with the fact he was completely naked. Feeling slightly more self-conscious, Tifa drew the blanket over them both and tentatively settled in at his side. He pulled her closer, fingers playing idly with her hair.

"And you couldn't have waited to tell me this in say… another four hours?"

She relaxed against him, content to listen to the gentle beat of his heart beneath her ear.

"Well if it's that important can't he ring me himself?" He paused. "Of course he's asleep. Because it's five-thirty in the fucking morning."

Tifa stifled a laugh against his chest and he tugged her hair. A sharp nip of the pale skin beneath her lips was rewarded by a noticeable hitch in his voice.

"I'm not doing anything," he said guiltily. "I was asleep… Elena! Is there a point to this call?"

Tifa let her eyes drift closed.

"Okay, okay… seven-thirty. I'll be there… I'm always on time!" He tossed the PHS on the floor, where it landed with a thud. "Tseng and Elena are on their way. They're bringing the rest of your crew with them."

"Is everybody okay?"

"Guess so… She didn't say." Reno pulled her over him, wrapping both arms around her. "I've got a fucking meeting at half past seven. I swear they're doing this to punish me."

"So Barret and Cid and everyone…"

"Yeah."

She pictured Cid and Barret; neither man was known for their subtlety. Uncertain of Reno's expectations for whatever this was she floundered. Whilst there'd been the odd romantic encounter back in Sector Seven she didn't usually dabble in one-night-stands, and certainly not with people she'd to all intents and purposes be working with. The complications he'd distracted her from were suddenly a far more urgent concern.

"Reno?" Her voice was quiet, unsure how to give voice to her fears. "This has been...nice."

"Nice?" He laughed but the sound was forced. "Sounds promising."

The arms that were wrapped around her loosened slightly.

"I just…"

"I should go," he said flatly. "I've got that meeting."

"No!" she protested quickly. "I want you…to stay."

Somehow the thought of him leaving now—of actually seeing him leave—felt far worse than if he'd disappeared while she was sleeping. She buried her face in his chest, feeling the flush of embarrassment heating her skin. He pulled her closer again, laughing into her hair.

"You want me…" His voice was teasing.

"Maybe."

"If you're scared what the one-armed-wonder is going to say, I should probably point out you're not the only one crossing a line here," he said wryly. "Maybe we should keep this to ourselves for now."

"So this isn't just…"

He shifted his weight, rolling them both so that he was back on top of her. When he kissed her his mouth was demanding, leaving her skin burning and her pulse racing.

"Now…" He placed another, slightly gentler kiss on her tender lips. "Where were we?"

His mouth found her throat and she moaned, fingers tightening in his hair. He held back as long as he could, lips insistent in their torment. When his teeth grazed her hip bone she fell apart, whimpering.

"Reno…"

He finally relented and gave her what she craved.