Chapter 12

I don't really have much to say other than I want to thank everyone who had read Becoming His Angel! The story has hit a little over 1,000 reviews and I would like to appreciate those who have read and/or left comments. It is respected on my part and I hope everyone enjoys this latest chapter and what's to come in the future!

Disclaimer: I own NOTHING related to Final Fantasy VII or Final Fantasy XII (when it comes to Princess Ashelia's name). All copyrights and ownership belong to the respectable company of Square Enix. I am not creating this story to make money nor am I earning a profit – I simply do this as a hobby because I have a love for writing and this series (and all the other Final Fantasy games for that matter!)

~ oOo ~

"So, what's on our agenda today?"

Both Reno and Amalia were sitting on the couch in silence, debating about what activities they should do in order. Reno held a beer within his hand while Amalia, who sat towards the end of the couch with a crochet project in hand, moved her fingers swiftly as she alternated between different stiches she wanted to incorporate. She occasionally glanced up from her work, waiting to hear back from her lover.

"We could always just have a lazy day. You know, stay here, drink beer, maybe watch a couple movies?"

"That sounds fun, I could always work on getting this baby outfit done."

"How much left do you have?"

"For this specific outfit? Not that much longer but…aw shit."

"What's wrong?"

Amalia pulled the yarn bag towards her as she looked through all the different bundles of color and sizes. Not finding what she was looking for, she fell back against the couch and sighed. "Damn…I'm out of the yarn I was using." Turing her head towards Reno she asked, "Mind if we hit the craft store before we begin our adventurous, lackadaisical day?"

"Of course. You wanna walk or take the bike?" Placing the beer bottle on the table, Reno stood and held out his hand for Amalia to take, in which she did and stood alongside him.

"Let's walk – it's not that far and the weather looks lovely outside."

"Alrighty-then, let's get this shenanigan out of the way."

Grabbing some gil from her bag on the table, Amalia placed the bills in the back pocket of her jeans before leaving the apartment. Strutting down the stairs, the couple held each other hand-in-hand, a newborn intimacy burned underneath their skin; they wanted their skin to touch as much as possible, but since they were going out in public, holding hands would be suffice enough until they made it back home.

For now.

As they exited the building, Amalia shielded her eyes from the onslaught of the burning sun. The weather outside was perfect; few clouds cradled the sky as the sun made its way overhead, indicating that midday was around the corner. Amalia couldn't help but smile. After the Meteor attack and the construction of Edge, the sun has barely been visible, due to the pollution from the Mako extraction. But now, after several years have passed, the pollution has begun to dissipate and the surrounding skies have never looked cleaner. As usual, the city was bustling with people; adults and children walking through the streets of Edge, either enjoying the weather before it became too hot or walking towards an unknown destination in search of something to do.

Angling his head downwards, Reno glanced at the beautiful woman that stood beside him, still was still clutching his hand tightly. Her long tresses of hair blew softly as a light breeze began to blow through. Reno couldn't help but be captivated by her beauty – both what she held on the inside and the outside. In his eyes, Amalia was the most outstanding person he had ever met, which also included all the people at Shinra he'd worked with over the years. Feeling that someone was staring at her, Amalia glanced upward only to find Reno intensely looking at her. "What?" she asked softly.

"Oh, nothing, nothing at all." A sly smile appeared across the red-heads face as Amalia chuckled beside him.

"Sure, sure, it was 'nothing'."

Wanting to change the subject before he had to come clean, Reno asked, "So, is there anything else you need to buy other than yarn?"

"Mmm…" Amalia thought for a second. She knew in the future she might need something more, but that depended on whether she decided to create more gifts for Yuffie and Vincent or to just give them the present she was currently making. "I think I just need yarn. Once I finish, though, I'll need to get some cute wrapping paper but that can wait till later."

"You sure? We're already out and about, might as well get what we need. Doesn't your craft store also carry wrapping paper?"

"I think so…but I only pay attention to the yarn." She giggled softly. "Yeah why don't we look? It doesn't hurt and if I find something now I won't have to later."

Letting go of her hand, Reno laced his arm over her shoulder and brought her close, placing a kiss upon her head. "I love you Ashe, you deserve everything in this world."

"Aw Reno, you're such a softy at heart." But the red-head stopped walking and once again peered into her eyes, waiting for her to reply to something he had said. She blinked a few times them smiled. "And I love you too my cocky red-head."

Within the next few minutes the couple had reached the small, yet well furnished, craft supply store. Walking inside, the older lady behind the counter, upon hearing the chime on the door, peered upwards and smiled as she recognized one of her favorite customers. "Amalia, my dear, welcome!"

Turning her head towards the voice calling her name, Amalia said, "Well hello there, Joy! How're you doing today?"

"Good, good. Been a little slow today, but some days are like that, know what I mean?" Upon looking at Joy, Amalia smiled. A few years ago when she and the rest of AVALANCHE helped to establish Edge was when Amalia had met Joy. The older lady had owned a smaller craft store in Midgar and reopened when Edge was created. Amalia had gone in on the day the store opened and the immediately clicked when they introduced themselves. Since that first day, the two had still remained close friends and Joy always managed to give Amalia a discount every now and then. Joy glanced up at the red-head and beamed. "Ah, I see you brought Reno this time. How are you doing young man?"

"Pretty good today, ma'am, how about yourself?"

"About the same." Turning to Amalia she said, "Damn has he got some manners, huh?"

The blonde smiled. "Ehh, sometimes and sometimes he decides to not use them." She elbowed Reno in the side and snickered.

"Ha ha, ladies. Say what you want but the infamous Reno acts the way he wants when he feels it's appropriate."

"Oh I sincerely doubt that," Amalia rebuked with a smile.

"So you doubt my awesomeness?"

"Can't doubt what you don't have." She attempted to say without giggling but failed and had to hold a hand against her mouth.

"Whoa now that's just mean, Ashe."

"Hey now, hey now you two, calm down. Do you two always bicker like this?" Joy asked.

Both the blonde and red-head glanced at each other and asked simultaneously, "We were bickering?"

"Yes…?" Joy replied slowly. "You didn't know you were?"

They both laughed and Reno was the first to speak. "No, I guess this is who we usually are. I knew she was joking."

"As did I with him," Amalia inquired.

"Wow," Joy said. "You two are such an unordinary couple."

"Well thank you!" Both, once again, replied in unison.

Joy laughed and turned to walk back towards the front counter. Knowing she still had a business to run, she asked, "So, what are you looking for today, Amalia?"

Following her towards the counter, Amalia questioned, "Do you remember I came in a few weeks ago and bought a few skeins of soft yarn for a baby outfit I was making? It was a turquoise color with a little hint of green? I was wondering if you had anymore left?"

"Hmmm, I think I remember what you're speaking of. Let me look in the back but I think I have a few left. I'll be quick." And she disappeared to the back of the store, leaving the couple alone. Amalia sheepishly looked at Reno but averted his eyes when he glanced at her. Oh, I know what she has on her mind, Reno thought. But the two had barely enough time to say a word before Joy had reappeared from the back of the store, a few skeins of yarn overflowing in her hands.

"You are one lucky customer, Amalia. I searched through a few boxes and couldn't find any, but then I remembered I placed a new order a few weeks ago." Placing what she was holding on the counter, Amalia smiled knowing that what Joy had brought was the color she exactly needed. "These just arrived this morning."

"Oh Joy, you are amazing!"

"Ahhh, I've just been in the business long enough. So how many will you take today?"

"Um, I'll take two just in case. And if I use only one I'll have enough spare for the future!"

"Oh the life of crocheting; we'll stock yarn and say we'll use it but question if we actually will."

"Actually that is kinda true," Amalia stated while laughing. "But, I was also wondering if you had any baby gift wrapping, per chance?"

"Well of course I do! Anything you particular you want?"

"Something cute, that could go for either a girl or a boy."

"I'm guessing you don't know what the gender is?"

"Well, I'm actually not sure if my friend even knows what she's having. If she does know then she's keeping it a secret from us. I can understand if she wants to keep it a secret but why not tell her closest friends?"

"You're assuming she does know. But sometimes it's a better if the mother and father keep the secret to themselves – or better yet, don't find out at all until the baby is born."

"Some parents do that?"

"Well of course. That's what my husband and I did for all our children." Patting Amalia's arm before she walked towards the baby isle, she said, "Just wait until you have kids, it'll all make sense then."

Amalia's eyes widened for a second before returning to normal size. Joy hadn't noticed the difference but Reno could tell something she had said affected Amalia in a certain way. Grabbing her hand he asked, "Hey, you ok?"

"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?"

"Come on Ashe, what she said slightly bothered you. Am I right?"

"I just…I dunno if I want kids, so I don't know if I'll be able to experience what she's talking about."

"Hey, listen to me; don't overthink about everything, I've told you this before." Taking her head into his hands, Reno skimmed his thumbs along her jaw, trying to calm her down. "If you don't want kids you don't want kids, it's as simple as that."

"But what about you? Didn't you once tell me that you've always wanted children?"

Kissing the top of her head, Reno replied, "As of right now all I want is you. If kids are somehow planned in our future then great – if not, then as long as I have you my life will be complete. Are you ok with that?"

She nodded. "I'm more than ok with that."

Just as the last word poured from her mouth, Joy walked into their bubble carrying two different kinds of paper and placed them on the counter. "Ok, so I found a blue one with bears and one that's white with puppies. Which would be – "

"Oh, oh, oh I want the puppy one!" Amalia squealed like a young child as she reached and grabbed the wrapping paper she decided to take. Eyeing the design, she turned towards Reno who was eyeing her in his own way.

"Is that the one you want?" She nodded enthusiastically – this earned a laugh from Reno as he leaned forward and kissed the top of her head. "Well alright, let's grab it and go. You need anything else?"

Hugging both items towards her chest, Amalia replied, "No, I'm all set." Turning towards Joy, she set the items on the counter. "Joy, it was fantastic to see you today but we have plans to do absolutely nothing today."

The older lady laughed. "Ah, I see, it's one of those days, huh?" She observed the couple that stood before them. "Ah, young love…you two are the cutest I have ever seen. And I've been around for quite some time."

The blonde and red-head turned towards one another and smiled before turning their attention back towards Joy. "Well thank you!" They both said in unison.

Joy chuckled and looked at the items on the counter. "Alright, well let's get this rung up for you so you two lovebirds can go home. Let's see, we have a few skeins of yarn and a roll of wrapping paper, that'll be…" Writing the price of each item on a notepad, she circled the final price after a few quite seconds. "So that comes to twenty-eight gil. And I gave you a discount because you are my favorite customer."

Before Amalia could pull a couple of bills out of her pocket, Reno was already handing over Joy the amount to pay and she accepted the payment by the time Amalia even realized what was happening. "Hey, why're you paying for my purchase?"

"Because I want to treat you."

"Why? I brought my own money and – "

Reno's hand curved at the base of Amalia's head and he dipped his lips towards her, silencing the last of her statement before she could even finish. After a few seconds passed, Reno pulled back and watched as Amalia's eyes glazed over with a sudden lust-filled craving. "Let me treat you once in a while, 'kay?" Amalia could only nod meekly as Reno handed the several bills towards Joy who tried her best not to snicker. She had only seen the couple together a handful of times and each time she could sincerely tell the love they shared was genuine and pure. Through all the suffering she had seen in the last few years, it warmed her heart knowing that the human race was still capable of loving on an intimate and affectionate level.

Keeping the small talk to a minimum, Reno and Amalia left the store, once again hand-in-hand, and walked into the mass of people who swarmed Edge around lunchtime. But the couple was wary of the mass amount of people that surrounded them as they made their way home. For the two, the only people who existed were the significant other who was holding their hand. Trudging slowly on their way back to the apartment, the two spent their time soaking in the blissful sun and each other's company. Not one second was spent in silence; each supplied enough topics to keep the conversation fresh, both deeply engaged in what the other had to say.

However, Amalia, on a few occasions, turned her head to look behind them as they walked towards the apartment. Since leaving the store, the blonde continued to have a feeling that someone had been watching her, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it. She didn't mention this information to Reno; he had been worried enough for the last couple of days and she didn't want to add any extra unnecessary stress on his shoulders. Each time she casually turned her head away from the red-head, she searched through the crowds that surrounded them but was unsuccessful in finding the potential culprit that was sending shivers up her spine. By the time they reached the outside of their building, Amalia had given up on finding if there was anyone out in the crowds watching her or Reno. As the two walked inside, already discussing which movie they would watch, the slight tension in Amalia's shoulders had already dissipated; she had Reno to protect her and she didn't want to ruin the time they had together with another "attack".

~ oOo ~

"Oh my god…did you see that?" A woman standing directly outside of Joy's Crafts held a petite hand against her lower back and the other on her swelling, pregnant stomach. She had just witnessed an incident she never dared to dream that she would see in her ninja life. The woman grabbed the leathery shirt sleeve of her husband and tugged until he focused his attention directly towards her.

"What were you looking at?"

"I'm pointing right at it – are you seeing what I'm seeing?! This is serious!" Pointing her index finger at Amalia and Reno who had walked right passed them, the woman continued to tug her husband's sleeve in exasperation, unsure of how to handle the current situation that was laid out before her sharp, attentive eyes.

Focusing his eyes on what his wife wanted him to see, the man blew a sigh from his lips and said, "Well, I did not see that coming."

Reaching underneath her husband's cloak, the woman grabbed his phone and quickly opened the device and was already dialing a number when she hastily stated, "I need to call the group and tell them about this."

"You sure that's a good idea?" The husband glanced down at his wife, an eyebrow raised in questioning her motives.

"Oh hell yes it is! I sure as hell am not gonna let Amalia get away with this treachery!"

The husband sighed again and rubbed the back of his neck knowing that once his wife set her mind towards something, there was no way he would be able change it. "Do what you want, just don't come yelling at me if this comes to bite you in the butt, Yuffie."

"No Vincent, this needs to happen. How in the hell could Amalia, one of us, screw with one of the Turks?!" She growled into the phone but immediately stopped when the person she had been trying to call answered on their end. "Tifa? Yeah it's me, Yuffie. Listen, we have an emergency here – no, the baby is fine, that's not why I'm calling. Just listen ok? Did Cid pick up everyone already? Good, tell him to hurry, we all need to have a meeting that includes a certain blonde's twin sister." Yuffie stopped talking as Tifa continued the conversation on the other end. Looking up into the eyes of her husband, she could tell that he was not happy with her decision, but nonetheless went along with it.

"Yuffie, you still there?" She heard Tifa say on the other end.

"Yeah, I'm still here."

"What's this about?"

"I'm curious, is Amalia with you right now?"

"No, she's been visiting a friend for the past few days."

"Then I'm about to tell you where she's really been."

~ oOo ~

The door to the apartment swung open as Reno allowed Amalia entered first. Heading straight for the kitchen, she bee-lined for the fridge where she pulled out a bottle of water for her as well as a fresh, cold beer for Reno, who accepted it gratefully as he plopped onto the couch. Following suit, Amalia extended her legs to rest of the coffee table as she downed the water in a few gulps.

"Thirsty or something?" Reno asked as he sipped his own drink.

"I guess, water just sounded delicious." Placing the now empty bottle on the table, she grabbed the remote to turn the television on before asking, "So, have we agreed on something to watch or are we undecided?"

Reno shrugged. "Still undecided."

"Does nothing sound good?"

"Now, I didn't say that," Reno replied, turning his head towards the blonde.

Tilting her head, Amalia creased her eyebrows. "Then what does sound good?"

"You."

"Reno!"

Jumping slightly as her tone, Reno placed his beer on the table so he wouldn't accidently spill it. "What? That's the truth, yo!"

Amalia watched as Reno stood and bent his back, trying to pop certain vertebrae, and once he succeeded, several cracks could be heard throughout the living room. Turning around, Reno noticed the stare of his lover and knelt down in front of her, keeping the same stare for as long as he was able too. Reaching for her hand, Reno held both within his own before finally looking away. She could immediately tell that something was different. Reno always loved to talk – hell, he even loved to hear himself speak – but at that exact moment, Amalia could tell that Reno had something on his mind; which meant that he was conflicted within himself whether to speak his thoughts or to keep it secret. Stealing one of her hands from his grasp, Amalia brushed her fingers against his cheek. "Is everything ok?"

Looking up into her color mixed eyes, Reno's mind wavered as he gazed at the most beautiful creature he had ever seen before. Consistently throughout his day, he was always reminding himself how Amalia was the embodiment of perfection in his eyes. Her personality was the most magnificent he had seen in all his days on Gaia and in the time he had first met her in the slums of Sector Five, he had never seen someone with a nature such as hers. Still not answering, Reno glanced down at the one hand which still held hers and rubbed his thumb across the back of her fingers. On the way home, although he had maintained talking with Amalia the entire way, his mind had been elsewhere. His thoughts were trampled with advice he had received from Rude a few days prior and became engraved in his mind; he wasn't able to shake what his partner had told him.

"When you gonna ask her to marry your sexless ass?"

He knew Rude was right and deep down, Reno had been asking himself the same question for quite some time now. The only reason he hadn't pursued in asking Amalia for her hand was his own doubt. He had been nervous by thinking that she might not be ready, she might turn him down anything else that's equally as terrible. But on the way home, something within him snapped and he realized that he had to take this chance.

They had been talking about numerous topics ranging from their relationship, their family and what they were like before they grew as a couple. Reno had watched Amalia almost the entirety of the time; he love the way he laugh seemed to echo within their surroundings, the way he eyes sparkled when she talked about something that touched her heart, or even the way her hair fluttered as a light breeze passed by. He watched her form and suddenly realized that Amalia wouldn't suddenly leave him in the dust; she was with him because she loved him and wanted to stay by his side. Reno had chuckled out loud when he realized his stupidity had clouded his judgement in furthering his life with the woman he loved. At the exact moment he made his decision, Reno abruptly came to a halt and pulled Amalia within his arms and claiming her lips with his. Without missing a beat, Amalia dropped her bags and wrapped her arms around Reno's muscular neck.

The two had stood their without a care in the world as the people surrounding them walked on, oblivious to the change that was about to occur within their eyes. Once they pulled back, their eyes spoke the words they wanted to whisper in the wind. Pecking her lips once more, Reno had grabbed her dropped bag and they continued walking home. At that moment, Reno knew that this woman, who had wholeheartedly accepted him without complaint, was the one he wanted for eternity. And he was determined to make that happen.

Today.

Tightening his hands around Amalia's, Reno once again looked into her eyes and swallowed a sudden fear that enveloped his heart. Taking a deep breath, Reno finally was able to mutter, "Amalia, there's…something I've been meaning to ask you, and I've had some difficulty in how I want to ask…" Reno trailed off. The fear he had replaced with sudden nervousness, an emotion that was rare for the red-head.

But Amalia was right there to caress her fingers once more against his cheek. "Hey, whatever it is, all you need to do is just ask, Reno. It's ok."

Reno took another deep breath. "Ok, here it goes." Looking straight into her loving eyes, Reno mustered the courage to say, "Amalia Strife, would you – "

And then he was interrupted when his phone on the table decided, at that precise moment, to start ringing. God-fucking-dammit, why couldn't I think to put that damn thing on silent?! Reno mentally kicked himself in the ass before apologizing towards Amalia and grabbing his phone from behind him. He froze when it read Rufus on the screen and stood before saying, "Sorry Ashe, I need to take this."

"Let me guess: work?" He nodded and she laughed. "You know, for Rufus to give you time off, he sure does like to call you a lot lately."

Reno frowned because her statement was true but only he knew the actual truth as to why Rufus was actually calling him. Stepping into the kitchen, Reno answered the stupid device and held it towards his ear. "Reno," he said, trying to hold by a snap from his voice.

"Reno, it's Rufus."

"I know that, sir, I do have caller ID on my phone."

"Well someone's a little sarcastic today, aren't they?"

"Sir, you decided to call at a very…" Reno thought carefully on his words. He didn't want his boss knowing what he was about to ask Amalia. He ended his statement by saying, "…very, intimate moment, sir." The red-head knew that it was a lie but technically it actually work with the situation and he grinned, wanting his boss to feel shitty for calling.

"Oh, I'm sorry." But then Rufus decided to think carefully about Reno's words. "Oh, ohhhhh…dear god Reno, I'm sorry. Should I…call you back so you can get back to…? No, I cannot say it."

Reno's grin widened to his ears. He was happy with Rufus' response and decided to play along with the 'lie' he initiated. "No, sir, the moment is completely lost and cannot be regained at this instant. You might as well just explain why you called since you have ruined everything." Reno sighed to add emotion; he was having way to much fun screwing with his boss.

"Ok, Reno, now you're just being melodramatic."

The red-head cleared his throat. "Anyways, why do I owe the honor for this call, sir? Considering it is my time off." Reno emphasized the last word, hoping his boss would understand his meaning implied that Amalia was also in the room and had to be careful with his words.

"I just wanted to inform you that Tseng was able to find a small lead in the investigation; both he and Rude left within the last hour. They'll most likely be gone for the next few days, trying to gain intel on this lead. I'm hoping they do find something."

Reno resumed a silence he held the time Rufus had been speaking, but now that he was finished, he wasn't quite sure what to say. Soaking in the information he had just been provided, Reno rubbed the back of his neck, anxious to know what this so called 'lead' actually was and where the two Turks were going. "Hmm, that is interesting to hear, sir, I am glad that Elena is indeed doing much better."

"Reno, I didn't mention Elena at all."

Dammit Rufus and your narrow mindedness, Reno thought as he slapped his hand against his slick forehead. "I understand that she wants to see Amalia, I bet the girl is probably all lonely by herself. I guess if she wants company so badly that the two of us can stop by tomorrow and we can all chat then."

Rufus listened carefully to Reno's words and after and few silent moments, it finally registered in his brain what Reno was trying to do. "Then it is agreed; the two of you will come down here where Amalia can visit Elena while I speak you with."

"Yes, sir."

"Keep an eye on her, Reno. Now that Tseng and Rude have left the area, take precaution on what you do and where you go. They could be lurking out there somewhere, waiting for the opportune moment."

"I understand sir, we'll see you tomorrow." With a click on the phone, Reno ended the call. Staring at the device for several minutes, he wasn't sure how to feel with the call. Was it a good thing that Tseng was able to find something and they left yet again? Or could this possibly turn sour and somehow make the current situation worse? Even Reno wasn't sure how to answer that question.

With a shake of his head, he walked back into the living room, unsure of what to say considering what he was about to ask the love of his life. But as he rounded the couch, he noticed she had given him his space and privacy by centralizing her focus on continuing the crochet project she wasn't able to complete earlier. Even though she could still overhear the conversation leaking from the kitchen, Amalia always engrossed herself deeply into whatever it is she currently works on. And since she had to stop earlier because she ran out of yarn, Reno could tell all of her attention was on a metal needle and a ball of yarn. Although he had tried to use a 'code' when communicating with his boss, Reno knew that she had completely blocked them out. Even as he decided to sit on the couch, it took Amalia a few moments before she lifted her head and realized that Reno was no longer in the kitchen.

"Hello there, sweetie. So what did work call for?"

Although he hated to lie, it occurred to Reno that he lied to Amalia quite often. But looking back on what it was usually focused on, it made him feel slightly better, but he still suppressed the nagging feeling deep within his chest stating that what he was doing was deceitful and wrong. But then his heart would kick in and state he was protecting her; the latter always winning the debate in the end. Sighing, Reno scratched his head and said, "Nothing much, really."

"Really," Amalia bluntly stated. Looking up towards him she repeated, "Nothing? Nothing at all?"

"Alright, let me restate that: nothing too important. But he did mention something…and what was it?" He grinned in Amalia's direction, knowing full well that she wanted to know what was going on. "He did say that Elena was quite bored since Tseng and Rude left on a mission today and wondered if we could stop by. But I told that, well, after all the sex we've been having I wasn't sure if you'd want to leave and – "

Reno wasn't allowed to finish his sentence when a pillow collided directly in his face shutting him up entirely. Amalia had grabbed the pillow from behind her back and chucked it towards Reno, knowing that he was joking but wanted to end his statement. "You're such a jerk! You wouldn't tell your boss all that T.M.I."

"And how would you know?"

"Because you're not that stupid, Reno. And you know that if you spilled the beans about our intimate life in detail, because I know you've had discussions with Rude, that I would ultimately have to kill you."

Grabbing the pillow from his lap, the red-head placed it behind his back and extended his legs to sit on the table. "Damn, you're so graphic, yo."

"Like you're any better." Both turned their eyes towards the other, and in less than a second both were chuckling, knowing full well that they were joking and nothing too serious had been said. "So," Amalia said when she was able to calm down and wipe a tear from her eye. "What was it you wanted to ask me before your boss decided to call?"

Oh shit, Reno thought. Aw fuck, what the hell do I say? What do I do? Dammit, I can't ask her now the moment really is ruined and she deserves something that's fucking special! Swallowing the bulge in his throat, Reno stuttered, "Um, well… You see, what I wanted to ask you…I, well…see the thing is…" The fuck, why can't I talk now?!

Luckily, Reno was saved when Amalia's phone decided to ring this time, interrupting, once again, what he had to say. But this time, Reno was grateful for the distraction. Plucking the device from her pocket, Amalia answered hers and, without looking at the caller ID, wondered who was calling her. "Hello?"

"Amalia, it's Tifa."

"Oh hey Tifa! I never really hear from you, how're you doing?"

"Um, I'm doing alright, thanks. Hey, I need you to come down towards the bar – both you and Reno. Think you can be here in the next ten minutes?"

"Uh, yeah sure thing, but what do you need us for?"

"I-I just need the two of you for something."

Wait a second, Amalia thought. Tifa doesn't know I'm together with Reno. Then why in the hell would she ask the two of us to head towards the bar? Looking up at Reno, her eyes widened slightly and the red-head tilted his head, wondering what was running through his lover's mind. "Tifa…" Amalia said slowly, her brain slowly trying to decipher what Tifa was asking and why. "Why is it you need Reno and me to head towards the bar?"

"Amalia just be here as soon as you can." CLICK.

Glancing at her phone, the blonde realized that Tifa had ended the call instead of answering her question. A sudden wave of angst pierced her heart and she suddenly had to take long, deep breaths in order to remain calm. Shutting the phone, Amalia stared wide-eyed at Reno who reached over and gently touched her hand.

"Amalia? What did Tifa want?"

Shaking her head, Amalia blinked her eyes and looked once more at her phone. "She wants the two of us to head towards the bar – stat."

"Why would she want us at the bar…? Wait…how does she know that you're with me?" Reno sat a straighter as he scooted closer towards Amalia. But the blonde was unresponsive for a few moments, her eyes staring at an invisible object off to the far wall behind Reno.

"They know," she finally whispered.

"Who knows?"

Finally looking again at his face she said, "I don't know who but someone knows about us." Amalia spent the next minute relaying word-for-word the exact conversation she just had with Tifa and by the end, even Reno was questioning what the hell was going on. "I-I don't care that they know I just don't want them to get livid at me, I don't want them to hate me." And although she had tried their best, a tear leaked down the side of her face but Reno caught it with his thumb as he enveloped Amalia into a hug.

Holding her tightly, he kissed the top of her head, understanding what was running through her mind. "It's gonna be ok, babe. Listen, whatever happens, we still have each other. And in the end, isn't that all that matters?"

She weakly nodded. "But, if all my friends know…"

Lifting her chin towards his face, Reno said, "If they were your true friends, they would respect any man you choose. Granted, I know that by being a Turk I've committed sins in the past that I cannot undo. However, they should be able to see that I am taking care of you like any man should. If they cannot see that, then they're not very good friends."

"Oh Reno…no, you're right, you're absolutely right. I love my friends but I have made my choice and I know that it's the right one. If they can't accept that…then they can't accept me."

~ oOo ~

I absolutely love writing this story but I'm not certain if everyone else likes it. Please, read and review? I still would love to hear what everyone is thinking. What do you guys think will happen next? I'm curious to see what everyone wants to happen in this story!

Until next time!

Chocobocolina ~ out! :3