*Warning! * - Sex, language, violence, nudity, and torture possibly present.

I do not own FFVII characters – though I wish I did. lol

I do own my own character – Jalyne and other originals.

Author's note: Sorry it took so long to bring you this new chapter! I hope you enjoy! Please let me know what you think!

Chapter 44 – The Yuletide

"She's still alive." Dr. Wynan stated to Rufus as they looked on in the private quarters, a few hours later. "Heartbeat is stabilizing and getting stronger."

"Any idea about that?" Rufus commented pointing at the duo lying in bed. They tried to remove Jalyne from Reno but her aura would flare and strike out anytime they tried. Finally they left them alone and the medical staff had to work around it.

"Not really."

"What really happened?" The President questioned. "I couldn't feel anything after Reno passed out. No heartbeat and no breath. She was dead."

"No, she wasn't. Exhausted maybe, but not dead." The doctor elaborated. "She rejected Revive, but absorbed Cure and Regen like a sponge. So did the red-head." She paused looking at the president. "From everything that the Director stated, she's been a busy bee so I'm not surprised they accepted the spells so readily."

"But she was dead." Rufus pushed.

"No she wasn't." the doctor chuckled. "The best I can describe it, is that she went into a hibernative state. Her body had a failsafe and stopped her from exerting too much and killing herself. Wish ours did that." She added wryly.

"Anything else?" the blond inquired, rubbing his chin. He remembered when Tseng and he found her after Nibelheim and wondered if it was a similar instance. It didn't take her long to recover or wake up.

"She's evolving."

Rufus snapped his head to the doctor in disbelief. "She's what?"

"Evolving." Dr. Wynan repeated, walking around to her and motioning the president near, pulling back the blanket. "Look."

Rufus peered down at her back and instinctively reached out to it, wanting to trace her markings. They appeared slightly different from what he remembered but he couldn't quite place what exactly. He scanned where the blade pierced her from behind, lightly caressing the wound. It had healed perfectly and only a small amount of scarring was visible.

"What is she evolving into?" he asked quietly.

"I have only read of four people that have had her type of genetics, though countless ones were cloned and perished. Only one is currently alive. Two additional ones were created and still live." She answered.

"The SOLDIER program."

"Yes. This one carries JENOVA cells within her or should I say, has similar genetics."

Rufus rubbed his chin in thought, standing up straight and looking intently at Jalyne nestled with his red-haired Turk. "It makes sense."

"What does?" the doctor questioned, her eyes boring into the President.

"She is JENOVA's true daughter."

Dr. Wynan threw her hands up in the air. "That may have been useful information to know!" she exclaimed and turned to him. "You're playing with fire, Rufus."

"Perhaps. But Jalyne is not JENOVA."

"How do you know?"

Rufus turned to her, eyes calculating. "Because the Ancient diverted her here. There is something she is to do."

"They need to rest." The doctor stated quietly and turned to leave, pondering the President's words.

She bolted upright unaware of where she was and looked around frantically. She recognized her surroundings, but how she got there was a mystery to her. She felt something twitch by her left thigh and slowly turned her green eyes downward only to stare into slitted turquoise ones.

"Reno…"

"Jalyne…" the flame-haired Turk matched her tone trying very hard to keep the smirk from playing on his lips. He slid is arms behind his head, staring at the site.

"Before I ask the obvious." Jalyne started, her eyes flickering at his chest wound. "Are you okay?"

"Like new, yo." He shrugged. "How do you feel?"

"Confused." She answered honestly, looking at her naked body and chest with all of the leads hooked up to her. Jalyne surveyed the room quickly and met his eyes. "Soooo…"

"Sooo…" Reno smirked again.

"What happened?" Jalyne finally asked.

"You died and came back." The crimson haired Turk jested lightly.

"Doubtful." She raised an eyebrow. "Seriously. What happened?"

"Evidently you expelled most of your energy, yo." Reno said seriously. "From what the Director said, the medical staff couldn't separate us. Your power wouldn't let them and flared every time they tried. Dr. Wynan said they used cure and regen for about an hour or so on both of us. We absorbed it like a sponge."

"How long have I been out?"

"It's around eleven, Sunday night, yo. Evidently because of your aura and there aren't beds big enough in the medical ward, they moved us here." He explained, glancing around at her old Turk apartment in the Shinra building.

She sighed greatly like a weight was off of her shoulders. Jalyne looked down at her wound inspecting the scar. It had nearly healed completely. Her eyes travelled to her breast where there were wires attached to pads stuck all over them.

Jalyne reached up and grabbed her left breast and tugged on the pads with her right hand. She sat back on his left thigh and twisted the leads, pulling on the pads to no avail to remove them. She moved to the other side, her face in consternation and not really wanting to just rip off the pads, knowing the would sting.

Finally she switched over to the left again, all the while fondling her own breasts unknowingly arousing the red-haired Turk. Jalyne squeezed her left breast hard, bunching the skin around the lead and slid a nail under it, pulling it quickly from her with a hiss. She moved to the one underneath and did the same.

Reno exhaled the breath he was holding and watched the beautiful woman struggle to release the medical instruments from her body, all the while his lower body was springing into attention. At his moan, Jalyne looked at him questioningly.

"Oh." She commented lightly, glancing down at his erect member. "Sorry." She whispered.

"At least let a gentleman help, yo." He chided lightly and wrapped his arms around her, sliding her so he could take a look at her wound while she tugged on the remaining heart leads.

Reno maneuvered her to straddle his waist and he propped up on his elbows looking at her stomach and the wound under her left breast. He reached and feathery brushed it, marveled at how quickly she healed. Another hiss from her and his eyes glanced upward, watching her rub the red spot from the sticky pad on her right breast.

He leaned forward, lightly kissing her wound. Reno smirked into her skin as he heard her light moan and the tremble flitter through her. He continued his administrations, lightly rubbing her back, finding her scar and trailing kissing all over her abdomen, slowly making his way upward.

Jalyne unconsciously leaned back, balancing on her hands on either side of Reno's legs, letting her hair flow downward, tickling him. She took deep breaths allowing the pleasure to flow through her and moaned softly with each lick and kiss.

Reno growled lightly at her response, resisting the urge to chuckle at her hair ticking and arousing his cock. He broke apart, moving the pillows to the headboard and shifted their position so he was sitting with Jalyne on his lap. Reno took his time, attending to each breast lovingly all the while Jalyne threading her hands through his hair, moaning and breathing softly.

He finally reached the crook of her neck and kiss it, sucking and biting lightly. Jalyne's hands fisted within his hair and her mew strengthened considerably. Reno pulled back and looked at her as she opened her eyes to him. "I thought I lost you, beloved." He whispered.

"Not this time, Myak Lovtka." Jalyne answered, tracing his tattoos with her thumbs as she cupped his face, gazing into aquamarine eyes.

Jalyne reached around them and pulled the sheet and blanket around their waists and in the process, slid his cock within her, causing him to growl appreciably. She settled into position and kissed him deeply, rocking her hips slowly, keeping him on edge.

They stayed that way for a few minutes, trading kisses and moans, relieved that they were together again, though neither would admit it at the moment. They heard the cough from the entrance and slowly two sets of eyes, one green and one turquoise met the looks of the President, the Turks and Dr. Wynan.

"Well, that just destroys a mood, yo." Reno whispered as Jalyne laid her head on his shoulder still looking at the group.

"Yes." She whispered back. "It does."

Dr. Wynan wouldn't let them leave that night no matter how much grumbling and groaning they each gave to her. The President and the Turks stayed and chatted, all the while the doctor checked on Jalyne. Evidently Reno was awake a few hours before her and his check up was complete with the prescription of rest.

They settled in until the morning, talking about various non committal subjects and dozing here and there. Both of them were ready to get up and leave as that is what happens when you're knocked out for almost a full day, but they promised the doctor and the President they would behave.

Jalyne offered to help Reno clean up his apartment from the break-in and the events that had occurred. She found herself in the passenger side of his car leaving the parking garage and on their way with her gazing out of the window at the winter city.

"Whatcha thinkin' about, yo?"

"Nothing really." She responded. "Just the events of the last few days. Especially Molcter."

"That's hardly nothin', yo." He chuckled. "What about Molcter?"

Jalyne chuckled at the memory. "Just the way Boctern nearly took a battalion out by himself after I was injured by the flames. He had some choice words for Volmerc."

"Volmerc?"

"The Flamebound." She answered. "He at least looked sheepish at the reprimand." She chuckled again. Jalyne turned her eyes to the city once more, lost in thought.

Reno eyed her from the drivers seat, taking in her attire. It was selfish of him, thinking of ways to strip her of aforementioned attire, but he had pent up energy and emotions he needed to release. Jalyne unconsciously lifted her leg up, placing her heeled foot flat which caused the mini skirt she was currently wearing to inch up her thigh, baring more of her toned leg.

Reno never saw her in a mini skirt unless for a mission. A dress, yes, or her Trerran attire which sported high boots and covered her legs. He idly wondered what caused her to choose a skirt today, not that he was complaining, but the look was arousing him to no end.

"We're heading out later, yo." He idly commented to her trying hard to keep his eyes on the road, though they kept travelling up her leg.

"Where to?" Jalyne inquired quietly, still gazing outward.

"Rude's place, yo." Reno stated. "He offered to make dinner for your birthday."

Jalyne turned her eyes to him. "Oh?"

"For celebration, yo." He explained surprised at her tone of voice.

"I've never had that." She whispered quietly. "We don't celebrate that milestone on Trerran." Jalyne paused but suddenly looked at him in question. "Is there a place you can take me afterwards, away from everyone and city lights? Preferably with a clear sky?"

He looked at her shocked then flickered his eyes to the sky. "That might be hard to do at this time of year but I'll check around with the weather, yo. Why?"

"There's something I need to do at midnight." She answered. "You are all welcome to observe." Jalyne added.

They arrived at the apartment and Reno stayed in the car to make a couple of calls while Jalyne climbed out and stretched. He led her up to his place taking their time and enjoying the silence. As he strode into his place and threw his keys on the table next to the doorway, Jalyne spoke up.

"I fixed your window." She said quietly. "And put the heat back on for you."

His eyes widened as a certain dawning of understanding came to him, though she didn't see it. He never thought he would see the day when a woman would do something, not because she had to, to get what she wanted from him, but because she wanted to and cared enough to make sure of his wellbeing. It was something no other dalliance ever held.

Jalyne noticed he hesitated and idly wondered what was going through his thoughts. That was until he spun around and captured her lips fiercely, guiding her to the wall by the doorway. She returned the kiss fervently with the same need as he, and Reno quickly divested her of her coat and corsette. Reno pulled back slightly watching her closely and Jalyne saw the raw anger, fear, and heatedness mixed with unabashed passion that graced his turquoise eyes.

Reno shimmied out of his jacket and shirt, staring at the swirling green orbs ascertaining her mood and passion. He attacked her neck to the wonderful sound of her gasp and when she tried to run her fingers through his spikes, his chest rumbled in unbidden warning.

Reno pulled her wrists above her head, keeping them there with one hand and bit down harder causing another moan to escape her. He snaked other arm around her hips, pulling her closer and found the zipper to skirt, pushing and letting it drop to the floor.

"You will scream for me, yo." He whispered huskily in her ear. "And only for me."

Jalyne's eyes clouded over with lust and she half closed them as he picked her up, kicking the rest of the skirt off of her legs. Reno carried her over to the wooden sofa table, sliding the contents to the floor in a crash and heap and did what he promised at Mythril Mine.

Reno turned her and bent her over the table, guiding her hands to back of the couch, grabbing his jacket to cushion her hips against the wood, and settled behind her, winding her white tresses within his right hand. He kissed her cresent moon and nudged her head to the side slightly to capture her attention.

"You will not move, yo." He commanded quietly as she started to lightly squirm in anticipation, and nudged her legs apart.

This was a new aspect for Jalyne in terms of sexual dominance. In her experience, the dominance entailed being aggressive, forceful and, well, brutal with physicality. Reno was dominant now, yet…softer than even their first encounter.

"Reno…" she pleaded softly, turning her head and gaze towards him.

His chest rumbled again as he loomed over her meet her gaze, tracing a finger over her jawline and placing the tip over her luscious lips to silence her. Her eyes widened at the silent command and she unconsciously shuddered at the thrill, anticipation and sheer fire that was enticing her.

"Your screams will echo off of these walls, yo."

Jalyne's breathing escalated as Reno resumed kissing her markings at her neck all the while trailing his left hand over her wing marks and down her back and hips. He slid one finger inside of her much to her surprise and she arched her back in reflex and moved her legs.

Reno slid his finger out and slapped her ass in slight disapproval and leaned into her. "I said don't move, yo." He chided huskily, tugging her hair to the side and capturing her lips. Jalyne moaned and Reno continued on, sliding two fingers into her as she trembled.

He loved her reaction to him as she was instant dripping wet as he immediately found her g-spot and coaxed it. He felt her muscles tighten and her moans increase in volume of which he increased his pace. "Cum for me, Beloved."

That was all Jalyne needed to hear as the fire in her abdomen released in ectasy. Her eyes closed and she grabbed the back of his leather couch. "Please!" It was sheer torture to her.

Reno slid his fingers out from her, trailing lightly over swollen lips and raised them to his mouth. By the gods she tasted so sweet. He nudged the grasp of her hair forcing her to look over her shoulder at him as he licked his fingers. The turquoise eyes shone deviously in the low light of the room and he leaned to her and smirked. "Don't you dare move, yo."

Jalyne exhaled the breath she didn't know she holding while he released her hair, shifting to sit on the floor. Her eyes widened and she let out light scream and moan as she felt his tongue glide over her pussy lips, licking up her orgasm. This was a feeling she rarely felt as he delved deeper within her folds and brought her to new heights.

Reno reveled in her wetness and rarely did he ever want to truly give a woman this oral pleasure. In fact, he couldn't remember the last time he did as most woman didn't mean a thing to him emotionally. He loved the feel of her and wanted to explore every inch of her body.

He slid his tongue to her clit and wrapped his arms around her hips tightly, keeping her from moving. Jalyne tried to squirm, to no avail, and he bit lightly on her clit, then sucked on it, causing her to scream out as another orgasm racked her body.

Jalyne glanced at her hands – the blue swirl of her aura beginning to travel up her arms. She couldn't contain it, not with Reno giving her a pleasure she never thought she would find. This was her aura, not her healing one or the white light that resided within, but from her heart and soul. She felt Reno shift and stand behind her, lightly wrapping her hair in his hand.

He pushed in with full force, taking her slightly off guard, but she reared her hips back to him in pleasure. Her legs trembled within her heeled shoes as the red-haired lithe man took no quarter in releasing his pent up emotions. He pumped into her as hard as he could and watched her writhe and scream, twisting and digging her hands to the back of his sofa.

Reno pulled her hair and head backwards, allowing her to straighten up. He released her hair and lifted her up, placing her knees on the jacket and table, pulling her back flush against him. He slid one arm around her waist to steady them and the other proceeded to assault her nipples and breasts.

"Plairo." Jalyne whispered in his ear, leaning her head to his shoulder, breathing harder and harder as Reno decreased his pace. She heard his rumble and chuckle deep in his chest and he was breathing hard. "Plairo, hagi ildon. Plairo." Jalyne whimpered softly.

Reno pulled back to look at her. "Wanera u?" he answered her in Trerran.

Her green eyes surprised; Jalyne studied him as the devious smirk returned to his features, twisting to meet his gaze as she leaned slightly forward. "Hardae."

She braced upon the table as he clenched his hands at her hips pushing slowly back into her. Reno worked up his speed to her increased breath and tightening muscles. He leaned into her, nipping at her markings and neck, listening to her whimper in need.

"Hardae!" she screamed. "Reno! Plairo hardae!"

Reno obliged until she screamed in ecstasy, the sound reverberating off of the wall. He felt a tug within and watched as her aura travelled further up her arms. He slid out, turning her to face him and leaned in to watch her slitted eyes. Trailing a hand to her neck, Reno caressed her crescent moon.

"Open them." He whispered.

Jalyne complied, opening her eyes slowly to gaze at him. She was breathing hard and trembling from the exertion, but felt something different in that moment.

Reno hid his shock well, looking at her eyes covered in aura and couldn't discern the emotion she was projecting. Her breathing was ragged and exhausted and her look was one of pleading and need. He idly remembered something she had told him.

He captured her lips fiercely and guided her arms around his neck. Reno bent to put his arms under her knees, easily lifting her while she moaned and broke the kiss, trailing them down his jawline to his neck.

"You need the touch." He whispered as he felt her grip on his tail tighten.

"Yes…only for you." She breathed. Love me…

He swore he heard the echo and more importantly, again felt the tug within him, a sensation he was trying to ignore. Jalyne arched her back within his grasp, letting out a scream of pleasure at the new angle. Reno watched her, touching his forehead to hers, rocking her forcefully and enjoying the crescendo of sound coming from her. He witnessed her eyes shift in emotion as she breathed his name.

"Reno…" Jalyne panted and then turned devious, understanding his dominant nature. "Fuck me." She whispered sultrily.

Reno growled in response, carrying her over to the end of the couch and plopped her down on the soft cushions. He pumped into her hard and leaned over her, never breaking the gaze of her eyes. Every thrust yield a pleasurable scream from her.

Jalyne understood what he needed and felt the apprehension, fear and overall frustration of the last few days. She reached for one hand as tightened her legs around his waist, guiding it up to her neck. He instinctively reached for her other hand, putting it above her head and entwining his fingers with hers.

Reno's eyes widened when he realized what she was doing. He squeezed just a little and watched her wrythe in pleasure, arching her back and screaming with each thrust he gave. He slowed his pace and looked at her slitted gaze to him.

"Don't hold back." Jalyne whispered.

Reno leaned in with a crushing kiss and moan. He straightened up, flipping her legs over his shoulders and proceeded to fuck her hard as he let the emotions free. It was selfish of him, he knew, to unleash everything at once. This was his coping mechanism; the rough, tumble and dominant nature of sex and here was a woman that understood it and accepted it with just the same passion. Jalyne was perfect to him.

Reno came with great force and loud moan as Jalyne screamed his name, tightening and milking his cock for every drop he would give. He looked at her as she breathed heavily with pleasure and sweat covering her body. She was beautiful.

"You okay, yo?" he inquired, letting go of her legs and leaning down towards her.

"Perfect." She whispered back, pulling him to her. "I'll be sore in the morning, I think." She chuckled.

Reno snuggled to the side of her, tracing her neck and jawline lightly as their breathing slowed to normal. "My hell, woman. You are perfect, yo."

"If you say so." Jalyne commented non-chalantly, lightly caressing his hair and back.

Reno inched his hand downwards to her side with a feathery touch and chuckled as he looked at her. "I say so, yo."

"Don't you dare!" she exclaimed.

The dinner at Rude's place was lively as the Turks and the President relaxed for the moment. Rude prepared a wonderful assortment of dishes that were delicious and worthy of high class establishments. They sat and chatted during dinner, drinking and enjoying the atmosphere.

"So what are you planning, Jalyne?" Rufus finally inquired. "Reno requested to find a place outside of the city with clear skies."

Jalyne raised her drink to her lips and impishly smirked. "You'll see."

The President raised an eyebrow at her for her to continue, a devious smile threatening his features. "You're not going to tell?"

"It is Yuletide."

"Which is that, exactly?" Tseng asked.

"Yuletide is the longest night." Jalyne started to explain. "It marks the beginning of the return of the light."

"It is also your birthday, yo." Reno interjected slyly, smirking at her from across the table.

"Unfortunately." She commented.

"Why unfortunately?" Elena asked seriously. "Birthdays are a joyous occasion and celebrated here."

"Not on Trerran." Jalyne elaborated. "At least mine wasn't. It's on a ritual day for us, as the cumulation of darkness is highest and is termed The Longest Night. Father never really celebrated it and preferred to celebrate the holiday."

They reclined to Rude's living room while he made quick work as a host doing clean up with Reno helping his partner. The two were listening to her explain a little further while they stacked the dishes in the dishwasher.

"Why do you think she doesn't like her birthday, yo?" Reno whispered to Rude.

"Not sure." He commented straining to listen a moment. "I think something may have happened." Reno looked towards where the others were sitting as Rude continued. "Her people are a bit literal. They rely and believe in the elements of nature."

"She's afraid of the dark, yo." Reno commented, leaning on the counter after grabbing a beer from the fridge. "I heard her say that on Drogavor."

"But does it mean something else to her?"

Reno glanced at him questionably as they made their way to sit with the others. As they settled in, they joined in the conversation.

"Kalm is supposed to be clear tonight, Jalyne." Rufus was telling her. "You should be able to see the stars, though I don't know if there is a moon or not."

"I don't think there's a moon, tonight, yo. If there is, it may not rise until late." Reno offered.

"Why midnight?" Rude suddenly asked.

"Because that was the time of my birth, though I need to be there early enough to prepare. I usually start at eleven fifty-five."

"You were born at midnight?" Tseng inquired.

"From eleven fifty-nine to one minute after twelve to be exact."

Rude glanced at Reno with an understanding type of look with a deeper meaning.

"Our ride will be here at ten thirty. It's about an hour drive." Rufus stated flipping his phone down. "Reno can take Jalyne and the rest of us can take the SUV. I'm sure Reno will want to take Jalyne home afterwards."

Jalyne nodded while Elena rose and disappeared for a moment. She returned a few minutes later with a small box decorated and wrapped intricately and handed it to Jalyne.

"What is this?" Jalyne asked softly taking the box from her.

"You're birthday gift." Elena giggled.

Jalyne looked confused. Reno rose and stood the couch rubbing her shoulders in comfort. "This is part of the celebration." He whispered. "I know it's different."

She smiled at her Baelo and proceeded to open the gift, eyes widening in surprise at what Elena had gifted her. Jalyne beamed enthusiastically as Elena squealed in delight, hugging her warmly. They each presented a gift to her, much to her surprise and by the end Jalyne had tears brewing in her eyes in thankfulness.

They arrived at the outskirts of Kalm, near the cliff and grasslands that overlooked the ocean water at the appointed time. It reminded Jalyne of the outskirts of Trerran Proper and as she looked up at the stars, she saw the two of the center of the Empire twinkling faintly in the night sky and felt its pull. The others gathered around her in waiting.

"Please do not be nervous or afraid." Jalyne whispered.

She had changed before they left and donned the traditional attire of the evening. Her clothing was all black embroidered with silver and white star bursts along all edged. Her back was left bare showing her wing markings save for the transparent thin strap to hold her top in place and her hair flowed down it.

Her legging and high boots were trimmed also giving her an ethereal appearance in the darkened landscape. The half skirt flowed behind her marked with the dragon encircling the cosmos that was her emblem. As Jalyne turned to the others, her helm glistened with jewels shaped as starbursts circling her brow.

They looked at her inquiringly, wondering about her statement and she elaborated. "You may see something from Trerran. It could be past, present or even a glimpse of the future. I'm not sure what this year will bring. I am proud to share this with you."

They each nodded and got comfortable as walked a little away from them near the cliff's edge overlooking the water, assembling her staff. Jalyne could feel time's pull and as eleven fifty-five started she raised her head to them. Her voice started softly and low as she began to sing. It was the ancient melody long forgotten.

Sa niroi a sapassa comlia e fadia litai (As the night comes to pass and the light fades)

E trenaa a retru litai. (I entreat the Light's return)

Ie litai a brungia wermta ut wroda (The Light brings warmth to the worlds)

Shoriana litai e girivei livai eta ali (Light's shine gives life to all)

Jalyne felt the pull of the Lifestream and the time within rang eleven fifty-nine. She couldn't control what happened next. She looked at the others as her aura sprang forth in darkness, a deep black that encircled her as aurora clouds and stepped off of the cliff. There eyes registering surprise as they saw her like never before. Her hair was black, as when she was born and her eyes were as dark as night.

Reno noticed one strange aspect as he stared at the woman who looked entirely different to him. Her mark was silver-white and shone like he never saw before.

Jalyne remained calm, knowing the appearance was different to the ones she called family. She continued the ritual singing, swinging her staff and dancing off of the cliff's edge. Her aura shifted as she couldn't control her emotions and for this time, decided not to. She wanted to hide nothing from the people she held most dear on Gaia.

It was a beautiful sight to the group watching her. It was strange and different for them but they watched as her aura took the forms of events, carving them in the sky in front of them.

Reno watched at it showed her destruction of Trerran Proper as she unleashed Midnight's Kiss. It was the one event that plagued her. This time however, he saw the event differently as he watched the Sorcerer she condemned execute is treason upon her. She was releasing her guilt.

It shifted again, and Elena gasped at the sight, cuddling into Tseng at the vision played out. This one was the atrocities that occurred when the trio returned and Elena heard Reno growl deeply within his chest. They were witnessing what the Traitor did to her.

Jalyne continued to dance, her moves fluid and lost within the ritual of Yuletide. She continued to sing building in crescendo within the song. It hit midnight and her aura shifted to red fire as silver flames showed them the events on Molcter. The darkness was fading slowing.

She turned away from them as the song reached it climax, hovered her staff behind her back and pulled her arms up and outward. As one minute past twelve hit, her white wings flared outward, shining and illuminating the area in the warmth of her Light and changing her to the person they all knew. The light emanated outward, hesitated and retreated back into her. She remained hovering, arms outstretched above her for a moment.

The others looked, the change in her they could see as the wings moved with the light breeze of winter. Reno looked at her right arm and took a breath. Rufus followed his gaze but remained silent.

Jalyne felt the change and ignored it for the moment for she had no idea what it meant and would dwell on it at another time. She turned to them and coasted down to land, folding her wings away and with a bowed to them with a motion they had never seen.

"Thank you for being a part of this." Jalyne whispered quietly as she raised her head to them. "It is a ritual to entreat the darkness to leave and let light shine. It is an ancient one that has been lost and I am the only one that has done it for as long as I can remember. For some reason, I was born with this particular knowledge."

They each stood around her, hugging her and whispering their thanks for allowing them to witness something so beautiful, strange and different.

Rufus took the rest of group towards Midgar, ending the night and leaving Reno with Jalyne. He pulled her to him at the car, kissing her on the head in comfort. Jalyne took a deep breath and crumbled to him, tears inadvertently flowing softly. He raised her chin to look at her.

"I'm sorry." She whispered. "It is emotional for me at this time and I've never figured out why."

Reno kissed her and pulled back, wiping the tears from her and whispered.

"Never be afraid of who you are."