This is a longer chapter. Not sure I quite like one particular part but I hope you enjoy! Please let me know your thoughts.

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

I do own my own character – Jalyne

Chapter 5 – The Training

Jalyne heard the light knock on the bedroom door while she was finishing getting ready for her training. She had modified the Turk outfit a bit to fit her more 'personal' style. "Enter" she said softly. Jalyne heard the door open and close quietly, and glancing up through the mirror, she saw Reno. She also heard the whisper "Holy Shiva" that escaped his mouth when he fully saw her. Jalyne turned to greet him.

"Good morning."

"Good morning, yo." Reno replied cocking an eyebrow at her attire. "Oh, the boss is gonna have a conniption fit." He chuckled.

"Is it too much?" she questioned holding her arms out a bit and circling for him to see. "Or are we not supposed to alter the clothing?" The suit jacket flared in a hi-low fashion and gathered at the waist. Jalyne's pants were tighter at the hips and upper leg and flared slightly from the knee down to give greater movement. The boots were shiny leather and sported a two-and-a-half-inch block heel and Jalyne adorned half gloves similar to Reno's. Her mask was in place over her left eye and her snow-white hair flowed down her back. She forewent the tie and had her dress shirt opened at the neck, exposing just a hint of her bosom. Though Jalyne hated the color black for personal reasons she adorned her cuffs and collar in an intricate design, similar to her usual fighting clothes.

"Umm…well…" Reno smirked. "Not exactly to change it like that. You look great, babe." He hurriedly added grinning wider. "But…" he continued as he approached her, nodding for permission.

"Black is not a color I like to wear." She stated, placing her hands on her hips, allowing Reno to stand in front of her. "It bodes ill omens."

"How so?"

"Bad things tend to happen…" Jalyne answered. "…very, very bad things."

"It's a sleek look." Reno shrugged and raised his hands. "May I?" Jalyne glanced at him warily at first and then nodded in consent. "We might as well give the Boss apoplexy while we're at it." He chuckled and undid the top button, exposing just a bit more. He stood back and looked at her fully. "Damn." He stated under his breath.

"That's the second time you've mention it. Are we meeting him? I thought I was to start training."

Reno rubbed the back of his head nervously and adjusted his goggles. "Well, they're in your 'sitting' room" he stated wryly.

"They? Sitting Room?" She asked. "What is that?"

"Where guests gather." He answered with a laugh. "Never heard of it?"

"We called it a Guest Room."

"That's extra sleeping quarters here." Reno chuckled again. "You did not explore, did you?"

Jalyne lowered her eyes sheepishly. "No, I did not. Actually, I fell asleep."

Reno motioned to the door. "Shall we?" Jalyne nodded in acceptance. She followed him to where the others were seated, marveling at how large the place was. Upon entering, the three Turks and the President stood. Jalyne walked behind Reno, eyes attentive and nervous.

"And here she is!" Reno announced. "Meet Jalyne. That is my partner, Rude. The small blonde is Elena, one of our newest Turks. Tseng is the Director and meet President Rufus Shinra." He concluded pointing at each of them in turn. Rufus approached her and Jalyne bowed in greeting.

"You're assuming she understands us, Reno." And returned the greeting. Jalyne smirked and looked at each of them in turn before replying softly.

"I understand enough" she stated. Turning her attention back to Rufus she continued, "I apologize if my attire is slightly different." Jalyne glanced briefly at Tseng. "It is easier for me to fight in."

Rufus sighed but gave no other appearance of disapproval. "I have business to attend. I'll leave you to your training." Rufus gave a nod and left the apartment, leaving Jalyne taken slightly aback. The room visibly relaxed after the President left. Tseng cleared his throat to gather attention of the group.

"Please. Sit." and gestured to the couches and chairs. Reno hopped over the back of the couch and stretched out while the other found a seat and waited for Tseng to continue. "I'll make this quick. There is much you don't know about Shinra, Jalyne."

Tseng continued the briefing, giving Jalyne bits and pieces of what they do, how they do it and why. The first order was always to protect the President. He explained what each of the others contributed and what their specialty was. Rude gathered intelligence and intel on enemies; Elena was a master in firearms and recording data and Reno was the deadly fighter. Jalyne listened intently to all of it, absorbing what she could. She began to understand that the Turks were a family and they looked after one another. Tseng continued the briefing by telling them of the current mission to the Mythril Mine in the hopes of pursuing Avalanche and Sephiroth, while Reno would stay behind and train Jalyne. Though normally, he would not speak of such matters in front of someone he did not know, he trusted Reno's appraisal of the situation that he gave the night before. Besides, where was Jalyne going to go? She was an alien here. At the mention of the Mythril Mine, Jalyne's eyes took a faraway look.

"Jalyne? Are you okay?" Tseng questioned. She snapped her eyes to him and then lowered them to look at her lap, embarrassed.

"I…I've never been out of this building." She lamented. "I am just curious as to what the rest of the world is like."

"I'm sure you'll see it soon enough." Tseng stated. "Let's get you through the training courses, first."

"If the boss will let her go." Reno muttered.

"We should only be gone for about a week." Tseng continued. "Then each of us can help you train." He stood to leave. "Rude, is the chopper ready?

"Yes."

"Hey now, you better take good care of her!" Reno exclaimed. "Not a mark on her, partner!"

"…"

Jalyne stood and walked to block Tseng from leaving. She looked into those warm brown eyes and spoke softly. "Thank you."

"For what?" he asked back.

"For allowing me to be a part of this. For not shunning me or fearing me. There is still so much I don't understand."

Tseng grinned lightly and held out his hand. Jalyne glanced down and decided to take it. He clasped his other hand over hers and looked intently at her. "Don't let me down. You'll do fine." And with that the three Turks left to go on their mission.

Reno stood and stretched. "I don't know about you, but I'm starving! Breakfast?"

"Yes, please."

They made their way down to the cafeteria where breakfast was still being served. It was not until Jalyne saw all the food that she realized she had not eaten in a while. Everything looked fantastic to her. Reno helped her choose a few things, piled his plate high and led her to a table in the back. They were in the middle of their meal when they heard someone call Reno's name.

"Reeeno!" a young brunette called out to him and sauntered to the table. "How dare you leave like that." She accused angrily. She suddenly looked at Jalyne in disgust. "Is this who you left me for, your new flavor?"

Jalyne looked at the lady a slight bit confused and Reno was nervously tapping his foot underneath the table.

"Charlotte, don't make a scene." He stated. Charlotte suddenly looked at Jalyne and spoke.

"I wouldn't waste my time, honey." She said snidely. "He'll use you and leave you when he's done playing." Though Jalyne was not quite sure what the lady meant, she did not like it, so she stood to greet her smirking and eyes gleaming mischievously.

"Charlotte, meet Jalyne – our new Turk." Reno smirked catching the look in Jalyne's eyes. He was curious at that look, and what it meant for Charlotte, so he leaned back in the chair to watch the show. Jalyne stood there appraising her lightly before she spoke.

"It is not good to throw accusations around." She stated purposely in a heavy accent.

"Oh, don't think for one moment that he'll stay with you, you masked intruder." Charlotte hissed. She clenched her fist absently at her side, furious that Reno of the Turks would choose this one over her. Suddenly, Jalyne's smirk grew into a grin and she winked. Charlotte backed away with a brief shriek, turned and ran from the cafeteria. Reno's eyes were wide when Jalyne sat back down.

"Yes?"

"What did you do to her?" Reno asked though he just could not keep the grin from his face.

"Did you not see my wink?" Jalyne jested lightly.

"Ahh" he flirted, "But what was behind that wink?"

"Only I know." Jalyne chuckled at seeing Reno getting flustered.

"Oh, come on! Tell me!" he pleaded and bringing his fist down lightly on the table. "Please!"

Jalyne laughed at that. "I gave her something to think about." She said. "I did not like her accusation." Jalyne said turning serious for a moment. "We are not 'playing'. Though the future is known to no one, it remains to be seen what will happen."

Reno was not sure whether Jalyne understood the meaning of 'playing' or not, so he decided to drop the issue. No need to let her know just how promiscuous he was. They finished eating and he cleared the trays depositing them where they belong and returned to the table with his hand outstretched. "Ready?"

"Yes" she said, taking his offered hand.

The training went well for the first two weeks. Reno had schooled her better on hand to hand combat along with Rude when the three Turks returned from Mythril Mine after the first week. Elena had taught Jalyne the use of firearms, how to clean a gun and some of the different firearms and artillery the Turks used. Jalyne did not like the use of a gun but relented and accepted on carrying one for backup to her blades. During the first two weeks Reno and Jalyne settled somewhat into a routine. They would train throughout the day, taking breaks when necessary, and Reno would escort her back to the apartment when they were finished. Often Reno stayed and told Jalyne about Gaia while they ate or watched TV. Sometimes, Jalyne fell asleep listening to him and she would awake in her bed, fully clothed and rested. At the end of the second week, the four Turks were headed out for R&R and invited Jalyne to come, knowing she needed a break. Jalyne had declined citing she was staying in at the apartment, but to notify her if they needed her. Tseng had procured a cell phone just for her and inputted all their numbers. The more Jalyne was with the Turks, the more she felt like part of a family, even though she did not have the freedom and clearance the rest of them did. Not yet at least. They did take care of their own.

Jalyne declined the invitation simply because the Materia training was due to start Monday and she was nervous about it. Though she wanted to see the city; she was apprehensive due to her looks and the mask that she still wore to hide behind. She could not bare to see the stares at her and though she appeared at times greatly confident, she really did fell self-conscious. Jalyne had went to the library and took out some books on Materia to learn. All of Friday evening and Saturday she spent reading. She was dozing lightly on her divan when she heard a knock at her door. Curious, she got up to answer it, only to find her flame-hair Turk on the other side, swaying back and forth. Reno about fell over in the doorway.

"Reno?" Jalyne questioned. "What's wrong?"

"Nuthin." Came the slurred response. She led him over to the sitting room couch and sat him down.

"Then why are you here?"

"Wanted to make sure you were okay." He replied. His eyes were glassy, and he smelled like nothing Jalyne has ever known, making her nose wrinkle. She felt something was out of place with him. This was a side she had never seen in him.

"I am fine." Jalyne stated, "I haven't left the apartment." When she looked down at him, he was sleeping soundly. Great, so this is what being drunk looks like. She thought. Alcohol here is much different. Jalyne nudged him a bit to wake him. She did not want him to sleep on the couch and thought the bedroom would be more comfortable. Jalyne managed to help him to the bedroom and get him to lay down. She sat with him for a moment, looking at him intently. When she stood to leave, his hand darted out to grab her wrist hard and he pulled her on top of him. Reno adjusted slightly and held her there, his chin resting on her head. He took a deep breath and exhaled.

"Please…" he whispered, "you keep the nightmares away." Not knowing what he meant, she settled in placing a hand on his chest and wrapping her leg around him. His steady breathing let her know he was finally asleep.

Reno awoke in the morning with a hangover like no other. On top of that, the smells that were coming from the kitchen were wonderful and his stomach begged to be fulfilled. He sat up, deciding on whether to eat or just leave. The previous night was still a blur to him and the only thing he remembered was leaving a bar with a blonde. He looked around and realized that he somehow made it to Jalyne's apartment. First, he needed to cure this hangover, then he needed to pull himself together. The events of Sector Seven evidently still haunted him, causing him nightmares. For some reason, Jalyne calmed him and because he spent so much time with her lately, he surmised that was why he had not had the nightmares. He walked into the kitchen to find Jalyne seated at the table.

"You look like hell." She commented. Jalyne pushed a steaming cup towards him. "Drink this."

"Good morning to you too." He jested. "Thanks." He took a sniff and scrunched his nose. "What is this?"

"Exinie." She shrugged. "It will help. I used to make it all the time after our gatherings." She chuckled in remembrance. "It helps with hangovers."

Reno gulped the drink in one swig. Almost immediately he felt better. He sat at the table with her, staring into his cup for a moment.

"Reno?"

"I'm sorry for last night." Reno stated. "I didn't mean to impose."

"You're not imposing at all. Are you okay?"

"I'll be fine. I didn't do anything stupid did I?" he questioned, looking up at her.

"No. Should I have expected that?" she said humorously.

"You never know with me." Reno replied flippantly. Jalyne stood to get him a plate of food. When she returned, she placed it in front of him.

"You need to eat. Exinie is not good on an empty stomach. There is a side effect."

"And that is?" he dreaded the concoction that he just drank.

"One can become…" she struggled to find the right word. "amorous."

"Oh…good." He quipped. They both laughed and fell into idle conversation. Around mid-morning Reno decided to leave to get back to his apartment. Pausing at the door, he turned to face her.

"Jalyne?"

"Yes, Reno?" Jalyne replied and before she could even think to continue, he pulled her into an embrace, kissing the top of her head.

"Thank you for last night." And with a grin and a wave, Reno left the apartment leaving Jalyne stunned.

Monday came too soon, and with-it Materia training ensued. The four Turks gathered in the training room to help Jalyne. Tseng and Elena were instructing her on the use of Materia and how to tap into it. Reno was holding a Lightning Materia and was demonstrating its use on various targets. When it came time for her to take hold of the Materia, she refused.

"Come on, Jalyne." Reno implored. "Try it."

"I really don't want to." She stated backing away fear gripping her. "I don't need it."

"But you should learn how to use it, even if you only ever use a Cure or Healing Materia." Tseng said. "It could very well save your life one day."

"Please…." Jalyne pleaded. "I'm not sure how I'll react to Materia."

"Just try it, Jalyne. What is the worst that could happen?" Reno said and let the Materia slip and roll off his fingertips.

She reacted instinctively, reaching out and catching the orb before it shattered on the ground. Immediately her eyes rolled back into her head, and she lifted off the ground to hover high in the air. Lightning exploded around her, crackling through the air. The bright flashes struck the ground in a lightning storm, sending the Turks to find cover.

North Corel

Cloud and rest of Avalanche were on their way to board the lift to Golden Saucer in the hopes of catching up to Sephiroth. They had spoken to the townspeople and got a lead saying a man in a black cloak was headed to the Golden Saucer. They had also found out that Barret's long-time friend and father to Marlene was alive, though Dynan perished shortly after that revelation. Tifa was in conversation with Aerith when the Ancient suddenly stopped on the platform.

"I need a moment." Aerith said quietly and sat down on a bench. Tifa looked at her quizzically for a moment then shrugged.

"I'll let Cloud know." And the fighter walked away to let the group know what was happening.

Aerith closed her eyes a moment in deep thought. Visions swam across her closed eyes of a lady with white hair dressed in black and in emotional distress. The power that Aerith sensed, she had only heard of in tales from her mother. It was frightening, to say the least, but Aerith sensed something or someone else within the vision. When she reached through the Lifestream to help, she came across a resistance she knew all to well.

Leave her alone. Aerith commanded.

No. That one is mine.

She is not yours, and never will be. Aerith pushed through the Lifestream with all she had to circumvent the resistance only to hear the menacing chuckle in the distance. Breaking the wall around the young lady she spoke softly and gently. Do not be afraid of it, use it. Let it flow. Learn to feel it through you. Control it. Aerith paused a moment before continuing. It will be alright.

When Aerith opened her eyes, she was met with her group staring at her.

"I'm sorry to keep you waiting." She said.

"Are you okay?" Cloud asked.

"It's nothing." Aerith lied with a soft shake of her head. "I just needed a rest for a moment. We've been travelling hard."

Shinra Training Room

"Reno!" Tseng called. "You have to calm her down!"

"Oh boy."

"I told you she was different." Rude commented with a straight face. They were huddled by a flipped over table, taking shelter. Tseng was across the room, behind Jalyne's sight and Elena was to the left under a desk with her gun ready.

"What do we do?" Elena screamed.

"We take her down." Tseng commanded.

"No!" Reno screamed out. "I'll handle her. Just be ready." He looked around trying to time the lightning strikes. "If I can time it right, I can get around her and take her down from Tseng's position."

"…" Rude said silently. "I'm not sure that will work. There is no pattern to the strikes. It's completely random."

"Any suggestions then, partner?" Reno drawled.

"Use your speed."

"You're a big help, you know that?"

Jalyne was fighting the Lightning power to no avail. Her head pounded and the influx of power was too much, and she could not concentrate.

Just kill them all

No!

Why not? They are insignificant compared to you and your power.

I will not do it!

Reno had suddenly darted out from behind the table. The Lightning had a mind of its own and trailed in his direction. NO! Jalyne silently screamed. The blinding flash had dissipated, and Reno was forced back a few steps, his hands in the air. She looked at him but could not hear him. She sensed movement behind her and before Jalyne could register who it was, Lightning rained in a curtain stopping Tseng in his tracks. STOP IT!

Never!

Jalyne held up the green orb to look at it. She feared it and the voice in her head. She feared her own power. In the darkness of her mind, she sensed light.

Do not be afraid of it, use it. Let it flow. Learn to feel it through you. Control it. A kinder, gentler voice instructed.

Of course! It was her own fear of herself that she could not control the Lightning. Taking a deep breath and exhaling, Jalyne reigned in her fear, the darkness and apprehension of something new. Instead she took control, molding the Lightning Materia to her whim. The lightning storm was subsiding gradually, and the Turks were looking up at her in awe.

It will be alright.

Perhaps. Jalyne said silently and looked down at Reno. Gradually as the storm ended, he smirked at her and gave her a wink. Holding the Materia in her left hand, she descended to the ground, landing a few feet from the gathered Turks. The targets were still standing. Turning to them, she outreached her right hand and snapped. A bolt hit the target, making the Turks jump back, stunned. One by one, Jalyne took out the targets. Turning, she handed the orb to Tseng and suddenly tired, she faltered.

"I'm sorry." Jalyne stated remorsefully. "That should not have happened."

"It's alright, Jalyne." Reno quipped grinning and running a hand through his hair. "We like running for our lives."

"You missed one." Rude commented.

"Oh." Jalyne said and without turning around to face the target, she raised her right and snapped. Lightning destroyed the target. "There. All gone." She looked at their faces, wondering why there were wide-eyed.

"Jalyne?" Tseng asked not caring to put his mask back in place.

"Yes?"

"You aren't holding the Materia."

"Hm." Jalyne said not getting what Tseng was after.

"And this was a Level 1 Lightning Materia."

"What are you implying?"

Elena had taken the Materia from Tseng and her eyes got big. "This is a Master Lightning!" she exclaimed handing it to Rude.

"Yes, it is now." The quiet Turk verified.

"What are you saying?" Jalyne questioned, confused.

"Jalyne." Reno said suddenly. "Hit the back wall with lightning."

Concentrating for a moment, she raised her right hand and snapped. Lightning hit the back wall.

"Materia is power forged in the Lifestream." Elena stated in wonder. "Are you an Ancient?"

"Hardly. I'm only 25." Jalyne laughed.

"What happened up there?" Reno suddenly asked curiously. "You just cast Lightning without Materia."

"I don't need it." Jalyne responded deep in thought. "The best that I can explain is that I absorbed it. Materia heightens my already natural abilities." She stated after a moment, deciding not to let them know about the voices.

"Do it again!" Reno exclaimed producing an Ice Materia.

"I'll get the cold weather gear." Rude said dryly.

"No, we're not doing that again." Tseng interrupted.

"Damn" Reno said sullenly. "I wanted to see it again."

"You'll just have to wait." Tseng reprimanded and turned to Jalyne. "What can you not do?"

"A lot, I suppose." She answered. She was near enough to the Ice Materia to sense it. Reaching out her hands, she cast Ice, letting it spread across the floor. "But I already have elemental magic. I was born with it."

"Whoa. That's neat!" exclaimed Elena.

"Reno," Tseng paused then in thought. "We don't need to train her in Materia. That explain how she blocked your first lightning strike at the first battle. Continue on with weapons and hand to hand though add defensive magic training if you can." Throwing a sideways glance at Jalyne, "after she rests and eats. She looks tired."

The rest of the week went well according to Jalyne. She had held her own again all of them except Tseng. He was hard to beat and one of the best. They relaxed at Jalyne's apartment, and spoke of a great many things, though most centered around Jalyne and who she was. Each of them was endeared to her, especially Elena, who enjoyed having another female on the team. They grew closer as the two of them spent more time together.

Thursday's morning session came and went as expected. Jalyne managed to fend off three of the four Turks at one time, leaving only Tseng. They had lunch together and Jalyne was ready for her one on one with Reno. All of them kept eluding to the evening but Jalyne had no idea what they were planning. Truthfully, she just wanted to rest being that her 'test' with Rufus was the following evening. They had decided to use the apartments' training center for the afternoon session. She turned to Reno as they made their way down the stairs.

"What are you planning, Reno?" the question coming out of nowhere. His eyes took an enthusiastic glint and he looked at her.

"Nothing." He tried to lie. "Nothing at all." He grinned.

"You're lying to me." Jalyne smirked as she took to the center of the mats. Reno took his place across from her.

"Would I do that?"

"Yes" she paused. "Yes, you would." They had agreed not to have materia or Jalyne's power during this training session. It was to be purely combat.

At Reno's nod, they began. They circled each other, trying to determine each other's move. Jalyne feinted left with Reno taking the bait, and she changed direction swiftly with a leg sweep right, catching Reno off guard and putting him to the mats.

"That's one." She smirked but Reno was not done yet. He pushed up off the mat, unclipped his mag rod, turned and swung at Jalyne's head. She leaned back to dodge the blow with ease and released one of her blades. She had a set of blades made with a blunted edge for training, therefore injury would be minimal if her connections hit. Jalyne unhooked the second one and stood ready.

"Come on, Reno." She goaded smoothly. "Give a lady a run for her money."

"Oh?" he replied. "Is that how you want it, rough and tumble?" he flirted excitement gleaming in his aquamarine eyes.

"Of course." Jalyne advanced on him, one sword in front, the other guarding her back. She swept at his legs with a wide arc, causing him to jump. He did not jump backwards as she hoped, but straight up. Reno forward flipped in the air and landed on her left blade as she brought it around to the front. Struggling slightly with his weight on her sword, she pushed upward, sending him back flipping away. She caught her breath quickly and charged, blades clashing with his mag rod. They had kept going for a bit until each was starting to tire. Finally, Reno took Jalyne off guard and he was able to drop her to the mat face first, though a little harder than he initially wanted.

Jalyne knew she was tiring out and was getting sloppy. When Reno took her down to the mat, the force jarred her hands, sending her blades and mag rod skidding across the mats. She never noticed her mask accompanied the weapons. Their legs had intertwined, and Reno landed on top of her with a humph and light chuckle. A tear of mirth slowly made its way to her eye as she thought of how ridiculous they must look. With a slight laugh, Jalyne twisted around to face him, only to be met with wide eyes. Reno unconsciously reached out to move her hair away from her left eye, gently grazing her skin sending a wave through her, and it was then Jalyne realized her mask was not there. She closed her eyes and let the single tear slide down her cheek, unbidden memories freezing her to the floor, and she felt her power fluctuate.

Reno closed his eyes, feeling Jalyne frozen beneath him and her power surge around him. He knew she would hurt him, but he was still apprehensive. Running was not an option as his curiosity won.

When he opened his eyes, he was not on Gaia, or at least anywhere he had ever been. A nobleman was in the corner of a bedroom on a phone speaking in a hushed tone and Reno could not understand the words. On the bed lounged Jalyne, or so he thought it was her. She had black hair instead of white, but he recognized those emerald eyes. The man on the phone chuckled and closed it down, leering at Jalyne. Reno risked a glance at the open window to see a large, beautiful pristine city in the near distance.

"What is it?" she questioned.

"The Emperor is dead." the man stated coming closer to her. He reached behind his back to take out a knife slowly. The woman struggled to maintain her composure. "The Lehans overran the palace and in the struggle, the Emperor fell to a blade. So, the report goes." He smirked.

"Impossible." The woman said. "He wouldn't fall that easily."

"Ahhh. But only if his wife were there to help."

"She is dead, I hear."

"Exiled, dear, not dead." He jeered. "Just as you will be." The man lunged for her, only missing her by inches. The lady tumbled off the bed and crouched low.

"I don't know what you're talking about, but I would suggest you not come any further." She said deadly.

"My dear, I invite you to go see for yourself."

The vision swirled, making Reno a little queasy in the process. He stood in the center of an ornate throne room. The lady with black hair was crying over a body. Dozens of corpses littered the room and Reno surmised a battle took place. What he saw next, froze him to the core. She had stood, trembling while other soldiers filed in to fight, weapons raised. She turned to face them, fire in her eyes and lifted off the ground effortlessly.

"You took him from me! Why?" she directed her question to the nobleman that walked through the throne room doors.

"We maintain order and perfection! We destroy those that do not belong!"

"But he was the Emperor, the epitome of perfection!" she screamed. As she hovered there, she slowly changed, her hair turning white and her attire changing to the deep midnight blue. Over her left eye, a peculiar marking appeared. Her power escalated and bordered on uncontrollable.

"Ah…but YOU are not!" he raised the weapon and fired. She blocked it with ease but lost what little control of her power she had. She broke the glass ceiling and flew into the air above the city.

Reno realized in that moment who the lady was, and in awe the scene shifted so he was with her in the air. He felt her emotions now; sorrow, frustration, regret, disappointment, and most of all anger. The daylight was masked in dark clouds as they swirled, and power was radiating off of the lady. In a single move, she directed her power downward, destroying the palace. As Reno looked at the city below, he could see the shockwaves and fires radiating outward, decimating all that there is. When it was done, she fell from the sky.

The scene shifted again, with Jalyne in chains in front of the ship she crashed in. She struggled against the bonds.

"YOU CANNOT DO THIS!" she screamed. The man stepped forward and grabbed her chin, making her look at him.

"Ah…but I can, and I will, by your father's decree."

"My father is dead. You killed him. Or did you forget that." She spat.

"You are hereby exiled to roam the heavens for all eternity for destroying Terran and wreaking havoc upon our lands." The woman froze.

"F-Father?"

"Yes, Jalyne. It is I." The Emperor stated as he removed his helmet and looked at her with pity. "I'm sorry Jalyne, this has to be done. You are outside of order and perfection. Darkness reigns in you now. Your power is the curse. Just like your mother."

It all came crashing down on Jalyne in that moment. The mother she had never known, was exiled for the same reason. Jalyne was set up in investigating the Lehans…all to provoke her power, to see it with his own eyes.

"Order and perfection." Jalyne muttered. "and what good is it?" she paused a moment. "Do you not love your daughter?"

He sighed and paused reflectively. "I love you more than you know. But you are an aberration, an anomaly. You don't belong here." And with that he turned, motioning to the soldiers to start the process. It took four of them to subdue her and strap her into her ships chair. They injected her with a serum of which she ceased struggle immediately and closed her eyes.

Reno felt the power decrease and opened his eyes. Looking at Jalyne, he had a realization of sorts. The guilt he had over Sector Seven came to the forefront of his mind. The lives lost and the families torn asunder, all by his and Rude's hand. He watched her emerald eyes open and saw the guilt that was behind them and the fear. Her eyes were distant and when she finally looked at him, she gasped as recognition set in.

"You saw that did you not?" she asked quietly. Reno nodded, studying her, lost in his own emotions and interpretation of events. He was still on top of her and propped up on his hands.

"I am sorry." Jalyne said into the silence, with a tear running down her cheek. "I am…broken."

Reno threw all caution to the wind and reached out with his thumb to caress her cheek and wipe away the tear. In an instant he crashed his lips to hers, catching her off guard. He had nestled a little more comfortably between her legs and trailed his left hand to her thigh, raising her leg. Jalyne relented, letting the shockwave emanate throughout her body and deepening Reno's forceful kiss. Her heart was pounding, but the frustration and sorrow was slowly ebbing away. Her hands intertwined through his hair and she could hear the slight growl that he gave. Trailing lighter kisses down her jawbone and to her neck he whispered.

"Never be afraid of who you are."