Thank you Ilarya for the kind review😊

The first part of the chapter is more lighthearted than the ending. Please let me know what you think! There are a lot of ideas floating around in my head on how I want the story to go. Thank you to everyone!

Enjoy!

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

I do own my own character – Jalyne

Chapter 6 – The Test

"Ah-hem."

Reno rolled off Jalyne in disappointment and with pink tinging his ears. "You sure know how to ruin a mood, partner." He stated with a chuckle. Jalyne put her hands to her face and rolled to her side to hide behind Reno.

"Boss says it's quitting time." Rude commented.

"This early, yo?

Rude raised his eyebrows. "Time to get ready." And with that he left.

Jalyne had gotten to her feet and started picking up her blades and Reno's mag rod. Across the floor lay her mask. She walked over and bent to pick it up, studying it with a blank expression. Reno joined her at her side, gauging her emotions curiously. Jalyne absently held out her right hand, his mag rod hovering a few inches above it, waiting for him to take it back. Once he did, she trailed that hand over her mask. She was about to put it back on when Reno stopped her.

"Don't" he said hooking a finger under her chin raising her eyes to his. "Don't put it back on."

Jalyne hesitated a moment then asked. "You are okay with this?" she said brushing her hair back from her left eye. Reno turned her to face the glass window that was nearby to have her look at her reflection.

"You're perfect without it." He stated, pushing her hair back from her face revealing the diamond tattoo mark that covered her left eye. "A diamond in the rough."

Jalyne investigated the reflection, lost in thought, and bit her lower lip, absently noticing Reno's slight growl. She could sense his arousal but stared at both in the glass. She was keen on the look of their profiles and could imagine them working together for a long time. He had given her guidance when she awoke three weeks ago and gave her a family. The reasoning was unknown to her; she was an outsider, an alien. Jalyne raised her mask to her eye, looking at the difference with and without. Reno waited behind her, brushing her hair back lightly with his fingers, watching her reaction to him. With a shrug, Jalyne tossed her mask into the air and with a slight wave, it disappeared.

Reno placed his hands on her shoulders and gave a squeeze. "That's my girl. Besides, I can't wait until I see the look on the others' faces." He said smugly. "Ready?"

"You're an eternal child, aren't you?"

"Yep." Reno acknowledged.

"Are you going to tell me what we're doing?"

"Nope." He grinned. "Just go get ready. I will be back within the hour. There's a present for you waiting in your room, by the way." He winked and left, leaving Jalyne flustered. She glanced once more at the glass and turned to leave to get ready.

Jalyne finished showering and threw a robe over her, tying it loosely. She walked into her bedroom to look at the 'gift' that Elena had left for her. Glancing briefly at the door, she idly wondered when she left it open. The back of her neck prickled, and she caught a flash of red. In the next moment she willed one of her blades to her hand, turned and clashed with a mag rod. Reno nudged and pushed her into the wall.

"Rule number two…."

"Always watch your back and be alert." Jalyne finished.

Reno casually flicked her blade away and swooped in to kiss her. Caught off guard again, the spontaneity was curious to her and she deepened the kiss yet again. Blade and mag rod fell to the ground as he picked her up and placed her on the bed. Jalyne broke the kiss and looked at him, twirling his ponytail in her fingers, watching him resist growling.

"Just wanted to finish what I started earlier." He smirked. "Felt incomplete." He glanced appreciably at her slight opened robe and kiss her again before standing straight. "Yo, you ain't ready yet?"

"You interrupted me." Jalyne stated wryly, closing her robe. She grabbed the dress Elena had picked out for her and started for the bathroom again. Pausing at the door, she called to Reno over her left shoulder. "Reno, did you mean what you thought at our first conflict?"

He paused a moment before answering truthfully. "Yes, I did."

"Hmm." And disappeared in the room to put the dress on and apply a little make-up.

When Jalyne emerged, Reno eyes would not leave her form and he stared at her. "Holy Bahumut." He muttered wide mouthed.

"Is this okay?" Jalyne asked sheepishly. "I'm not familiar with fashion here." Her white hair was twisted away from her face and cascaded down her exposed back and tattoo. The little black dress was adorned in silver embroidery around the edges, highlighting certain features of her body. It was cut low in the front to expose just enough for the imagination to run wild. The front was split from the skirt just enough to expose her navel when she moved. The skirt was flowy and not form fitting and exposed her toned legs while the sparkly silver heels accented the entire outfit.

"You put a new meaning to 'Little black dress' babe." Reno recovered and suddenly stood, reaching into his jacket pocket to remove a box. He opened it and lifted the ornate diamond necklace for her to see. In the center was an emerald, the color of her eyes. She gasped as he hooked it around her neck and let situated it on her collarbone.

"Reno! It's beautiful!" she exclaimed. "But why?"

"Because I could. I saw it a week or so ago and it reminded me of you with the emerald in the center." He shrugged. She twisted around in his arms and gave him a quick kiss on his cheek of which his cheeks turned a slight pink. Jalyne took a step back and surveyed him. Dressed to the nines in dress slacks and coat, his black shirt was buttoned most of the way up though he forewent the tie. His cuffs were adorned in the same silver pattern as her dress and his flaming red hair was without his goggles.

"You're handsome." She breathed mesmerized. He chuckled lightly to cover his embarrassment up and held out an arm.

"Ready."

"Just as soon as you tell me where we are going." She said slyly.

"Out."

"Out where?"

"You'll see."

Reno guided her to elevators to descend to the front doors of the Shinra building. Upon exiting, Jalyne looked up and around in wonder. She had never been outside here in Midgar and the site was wondrous to her. Reno stopped at the stairs when he realized she was not moving further. Jalyne closed her eyes and let herself feel the wind around her. Reno touched her elbow lightly not to surprise her.

"Sorry." She stated sheepishly. "It is wonderful." She looked at the stars in the night sky.

"Nostalgia?" he questioned.

"In a way. Though I am not familiar with the stars here. I would need to see the stars away from city lights."

Reno led her to the sleek black car that was waiting for them. Opening the door, he gave a fluid bow.

"After you, My Lady." He said with a florid bow.

She looked at him quizzically but entered the car passenger side seat. He walked around to the driver's side and slid in. As they made their way to the club, Jalyne could not keep her eyes off the city that was whizzing past her. After a few minutes, Reno placed his hand on her knee. Jalyne looked at him wide-eyed and smiled a genuine smile. After all this time, she was giddy with excitement.

"Will you be okay?" Reno questioned with a side glance, turning onto the main road in Sector Eight.

"Why do you ask?"

"This can be overwhelming and new. Likely to have lots of people, even for a Thursday."

"But you're here." Jalyne slipped before she could catch herself and continued to look out the window. "I thought I wasn't supposed to leave the building."

"Tseng's been with you enough to trust you." Reno stated. "He's a great judge of character. Besides, you deserve a night out. It's not like you're gonna destroy the world." He chuckled.

"That would be the last thing I would want. This…This is my home now."

They parked in the lot next to a building off the main road. Jalyne could see people gathering outside. As Reno opened the door, the sound of loud music reached her ears. Reno extended his hand, and she took it gladly. As they made their way to the door, Reno glanced at the gentleman at the door and gave a nod. Immediately the gentleman lifted the rope to allow them to enter, scanning Jalyne up and down in the process.

"Easy now." Reno chuckled giving the guy a quick light shoulder tap. "She's with me."

As they entered the formal nightclub, Reno scoured the crowd to find the other Turks. Spotting them at a table tucked in the corner of the dance floor, they made their way to them. When they approached, Elena stood up to hug Jalyne.

"About time." She commented. Elena was stunning in green short dress adorned in black accents. It made her blonde hair stand out beautifully and complemented her eyes.

"It's her fault." Reno blamed Jalyne.

"It is NOT!" Jalyne emphasized with a chuckle. "Rude, Tseng." She acknowledged familiarly. They both looked handsome outside of their Turk uniforms and even looked somewhat relaxed. The lighting changed just enough to highlight Jalyne's face. In rare emotion, Tseng's eyes widened as he looked at his newest Turk.

"Jalyne?"

"Yes, Sir?" she said formally. Reno had draped an arm around her shoulders waiting for Tseng's reaction.

"No mask?"

"No mask." She shrugged as light hit her face again. Tseng's eyes acknowledge the mark over her eye with his mouth quirking upwards slightly. "Reno said I shouldn't hide the mark."

"He was right." Tseng smiled at the statement.

"Wait a minute," Elena said, "I didn't see it!" Jalyne turned to look at her fellow Turk. Elena took a deep breathe. "You're GORGEOUS." She gushed.

"Has Elena been drinking already?" Reno questioned.

"I only had one!" Elena huffed indignantly. Rude held up two fingers behind her.

"Oh boy. We're in for a long night then." Reno laughed. He leaned down to whisper to Jalyne. "I'll be right back."

Jalyne took a seat next to Elena and watched Reno head to the bar. He flagged the bartender and ordered drinks. By the time he returned, Jalyne had been conversing and laughing with the other three Turks. Reno placed the drink in front of Jalyne. She took the glass and raised it to her lips. Taking a sip, she grimaced slightly then sniffed the drink.

"What in the heavens is in this?" she questioned.

"It's whiskey." Reno shrugged.

"You gave her whiskey?" Elena exclaimed. "Ewwww."

"What? It's my favorite drink." he shrugged. "On the rocks."

Jalyne chuckled a bit at that statement and sipped it again. Then a thought came to her. Looking at Reno, her eyes travelled to the bar, signaling to him she was going there. After excusing herself, she made her way through the dancing crowd to the bar. The bartender looked at her appraisingly and asked for her order. After a few questions and instructions for the bartender, he left to make the drinks.

"And how are you this evening, sugar?" a husky voice said behind her. She turned abruptly to find a young dark-haired man leering at her. He was not bad looking, but just was not Jalyne's type and build. He was a little seedy looking to her. Taken aback slightly, she answered quickly.

"I am fine. Thank you." Jalyne turned back to the bar to wait for the drinks. The glass mirror behind the bar showed the guy was still behind her and it made her feel antsy. He reached out to slide his hand up her right leg to settle on her hip.

"Come on, babe. You look like you need a good fuck." He stated. "All tense and stuff."

Jalyne's eyes flashed and she could feel her power rising. She lowered her left and made circles with it, feeling the tendrils emanate from it. Help me Reno was her only thought as she struggled to concentrate on her red headed cohort.

Reno had been watching Jalyne since she left the table. He watched as the sleazy guy edged up to her to try to make conversation. It irritated him to no end and he barely contained his ire. He saw her hand drop and her tendrils of power begin to appear. Help me Reno. He looked around futilely shocked that he heard her voice. That could not have been her voice; she was across the room.

"Excuse me for a moment." He said and left the table. Reno made his way toward Jalyne, a growing irate feeling building in his stomach. Please. Please. Please. He pressed on, sliding up to Jalyne and slinging an arm around her. Jalyne instinctively curled into his body for safety.

"Yo, leave my girl alone." Reno grated.

"And what are you gonna do about it?" the guy snapped, standing straighter and puffing out his chest.

"You really don't want to know." Reno's eyes narrowed dangerously.

"Reno, don't." Jalyne whispered. He felt her right hand rustle a bit and strangely her flux of power. Jalyne tilted her head back and looked at him with slitted eyes. "I can handle him…I think." She whispered. Reno felt the small knife pressed upon his lower back.

"Are you sure?" he whispered leaning down to nuzzle her and hide his words.

"As long as you're here."

The offending man chose that instant to swat Reno's right hand away from Jalyne, not liking the red head all over a possible lay. Jalyne spun in Reno's grasp and pushed the guy against the bar, the knife she wielded hidden by her body, laying low at the man's crotch. Reno pulled his gun out of his holster underneath the jacket and weaved his arm under her left one and nudged it under the bastard's chin. Jalyne had inched just a bit to the right to let Reno glare at him over her left shoulder. She had balanced them with her right leg crooked upon the bar's bottom ledge and Reno's other arm planted firmly on her right hip.

"Now, I would hope you get the message." Reno sneered. "But in case you didn't, leave me and her alone or I'll blow your head off." Nudging the gun under the guy's chin harder.

"Or I'll slice off something that is of great importance to you." Jalyne added deadly. The lights flashed suddenly, and the guy got a good look at Reno.

"Y-You're a Turk!" the dark-haired man exclaimed.

"She is too, so don't you forget it." Reno smirked.

"I-I'm sorry man," he stuttered, "I didn't mean to hit on your lady."

Reno sharply angled he head towards the door. "Out. Now."

"Yes, Sir." And the guy backed away from Jalyne and bolted for the door. She relaxed a bit and watched the bartender come back with her drinks.

"Problems, Reno?" the bartender asked. Reno chuckled.

"Come on now, Adrian, you know me better than that."

"And who is this gem?"

"This…is our newest Turk, Adrian. Meet Jalyne." Reno introduced them. "Jalyne, Adrian."

"Pleasure to meet you, Lady." He winked. "If you need anything, you just ask. Now, strange request aside, try this." Adrian finished. Jalyne lifted one of the glasses to her lips and took a taste. Reno watched her carefully as her eyes widened and the look of pure bliss crossed her features. Her lips grew to a grin and before he knew it, she had hopped on the counter to lean over the bar to Adrian. Reno was not complaining as he watched the arch of her back and trailed his eyes down her legs, all the while his hand was just aching to grab her ass. Jalyne gave Adrian a sultry kiss on the cheek and hopped down, steadying herself on the bar.

"It is perfect. Thank you, Adrian." She commented with a slight accent.

"You better watch out with that one, Reno. There is some hard, hard liquor in those drinks. Not many could tolerate it."

"Oh, I was watching, buddy." Reno said with a grin. "I was watching." He turned and offered Jalyne an elbow, ready to make their way back to the table.

"What's in these?" Reno questioned over the loud music as he carried one of the drinks.

"A little of this, a little of that. We used to make it all the time. It was tough to find the correct liquor here, as I am not familiar with it. Try it, but I would not take it all in one hit. I don't know what reaction the people here would have to it." She chuckled as he tried the drink. He made a face at first, and then relaxed.

"It's really not that…" and then it hit him. He reached for the table and slid into a seat. Tseng raised an eyebrow at the look on Reno's face.

"What did you do to my Second?" he questioned trying hard to suppress his lips from arching upward.

"Gave him a drink." Jalyne laughed. "You're welcome to try it…but don't say I didn't warn you."

"I think I'll stick to my whiskey." Reno commented. "That really does pack an instant punch."

The rest of the evening passed uneventfully, and the group enjoyed talking and dancing. Even Tseng loosened up some. Elena dragged Jalyne out to the dance floor, and try as he might, no other lady held his interest. Tseng and Rude poked fun at him as his eyes rarely left Jalyne's form. The music changed to a slower rhythm and Elena was slowly making her way to the table for a break. Jalyne felt him coming closer as she also knew his eyes never left her. She was not upset, in fact just the opposite, as it gave her quite the comforting and protective feeling. It was something she has never had.

Reno approached her from behind, watching her sway a bit on the dance floor. He knew she was intoxicated and did not really mind; he was too. He slid behind her, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her closer.

"May I?" he asked. Jalyne sighed in contentment leaning further into him, catching his scent mixed with whiskey.

"I have been waiting all night." Jalyne breathed and twisted around to face him. She put her head on his shoulder and allowed him to lead the dance. Reno pulled her closer rubbing light circles up and down her bare back. She moaned softly and he closed his eyes. Luckily, the club was near empty as it was late in the night, or early in the morning, depending on how you looked at it. They danced that way for a while, each lost in the moment. Jalyne relaxed fully and allowed emotions to flow freely, trying to decipher them. The comfort, the safety, the protection she felt with Reno was unlike anything she had ever experienced. She allowed it to flow through her.

"Are you okay?" Reno asked, breaking the comfortable silence. Jalyne leaned her head back in the most seductive look he had ever seen on her. It took his breath away.

"I am. Why?"

"Because you are…" he paused, "glowing."

"Curious." She answered lifting her hand from his chest to look at it. Blue haze swirled around her hand and trailed up her arm. What astounded her was that her power engulfed Reno too. She sighed and concentrated to stop it, pulling it in. "I suppose we need to call it a night. Will you take me home?"

"You know it." He smirked and looked over his shoulder at the other three Turks approaching.

"Time to go." Rude commented as he passed the couple. Tseng paused when he reached them.

"We're heading out. Late start tomorrow. Take her home?" Reno nodded his agreement. Elena stopped also to say goodnight.

"You have to teach me that trick. Boy, if I could glow too…" Elena slurred slightly. Both ladies chuckled and hugged, with Jalyne whispering her thanks for the wonderful evening.

Reno escorted her all the way to her place in the Shinra Building. When they reached her apartment she strode in, leaving the door open. Now, Reno was not one to let an invitation go to waste, so he followed her in, not sure what to expect or even what to do. Sure, he had plenty of one-nighters and left before the sun ever made its presence known the following day. But this, this was different. Oh, he wanted like nothing else to taste her, to feel her against his body again. Why did it feel perfect? He stopped at the bedroom door. Jalyne was standing with her back to him, shaking slightly.

"Jalyne?"

"Reno…" she took a deep breath to calm herself. She turned to face him, tears running down her cheeks. "Please…I-I am afraid."

Shit. Too much alcohol. Reno rushed to her, lifting her chin and wiping away the tears. "Nothing is gonna hurt you here."

"There is something here. I can feel it." Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a shadow pass by quickly and nearly jumped into his embrace. Reno glanced quickly and saw it. A whisper.

What in the world… What are they doing here? They have not been seen for weeks. Reno thought. Why are they here now? He put his arms around her and stroked her silky white hair in comfort. Her breathing slowed to a normal pace and they stayed like that for a bit.

"Reno?" she said breaking the silence.

"Hm?"

"Will you please stay?" she ventured hesitantly and quietly. "I-I don't know why, but you calm me, and I-I feel safer with you."

He picked her up and placed her in bed, stood and took off his jacket, placing it on a nearby chair. His shirt followed and then his dress pants. Jalyne watched him with hooded and hungry eyes, unabashed about trailing his every move. She had slid under the duvet while his back was turned, suddenly tired and lifted the dress over her head quickly, throwing it on the floor. When he joined her, she instinctively curled into him, placing a hand on his chest.

"Are you sure you want this?" he quietly asked, moving her to get comfortable. It was then he realized she was naked, wearing only the necklace he had given her. Holy Ifrit. That is the sexiest look on a woman I have ever seen. Reno exhaled slowly, willing himself to calm down. Now is NOT the time.

"Yes" came the drowsy reply.

"Then I won't leave." Reno said sleepily. For some reason YOU chase my nightmares away too. I will never leave you. Not if I can help it.

Reno missed hearing her gasp in shock as his hidden words reached her mind.

They were reclining in the Turks office in the late afternoon, just biding their time until the test. Jalyne had been in deep thought most of the time, throwing glances every few moments to Reno. She was trying hard to be confident, but nerves finally won. Suddenly Jalyne stood and went to the door.

"I need to do something." She called to Tseng. "I'll be at my place."

Tseng nodded his assent and continued with paperwork. A few minutes after she left, he paused and looked at Reno.

"Nerves?"

"I would assume so, boss." He replied. "Though I don't know why. This is Rufus we are talking about. Good as he is, Jalyne should be fine."

"There's still a lot that she doesn't know." Tseng continued. "I can only imagine how strange this is for her."

"She is different." Rude commented. "She knows things. But I think there's something she's scared of."

"She's adaptable." Elena chimed in. "Jalyne will be okay. She just needs to adjust to things here. I wonder what it is like on her home world."

Reno remembered the vision. The beautiful landscape, the buildings and the strange attire. He suddenly got antsy, tapping his fingers and his feet.

"Reno?"

"Hm?"

"Stop doing that." Tseng ordered. "Has she said anything else? About her home."

"No." Reno answered. "Not anything that she has not already said to us, anyway."

Reno went to retrieve Jalyne at the appointed time and when she stepped out, he raised an eyebrow at her.

"No uniform?"

"No." she commented. "Rufus needs to see me for who I am, not a uniform. Besides, he has not quite granted me Turk status yet, though you all have." She brushed passed him on her way to the door. He reached out and grabbed her arm, stopping her.

"Your demeanor shifted." He accused.

"I must be strong. I have to be." She whispered. "I do not like this feeling. I must be like steel."

"What feeling is that?"

"There is something wrong. Something foreboding coming." Jalyne sighed. "But I must do this. I have to find my path." She paused for a moment. "Reno?"

"Yo?"

"I would like to try something when we have time."

"Okaaaay?"

"Just some things I'm beginning to realize or understand. Something that was said to have not happened for eons…" Jalyne commented to herself. "It is too much, all at one time. I feel…. confused, nervous, anxious…and then…" she trailed off deep in thought.

"And then?" Reno questioned as the elevator ascended to the Presidential Suite.

"When the time allows, I will need to explain a few things. But for now," she stated as the elevator doors opened to reveal the other Turks. "I need to pacify the President." She walked to the large double doors and stopped, hesitant to go in. Only the Turks were present, which she was glad for. She trembled slightly, shaking out her hands. She was about to enter when Reno touched her arm and turned her around.

"You are strong" he whispered.

"But now I have to act like it and put on a façade." She replied. And it does not help that I do not know what to expect or even who I am. Reno kept a passive, neutral face, but his jaw clenched slightly.

"Sometimes one must be another and an illusion to accomplish the goal." Tseng said coming to stand next to Reno and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"It's a learned skill." Rude said coming to her other side.

"You'll be just fine." Elena reassured her with a hug.

Jalyne steeled herself to open the door the meet the president. Pushing the ornate doors open, she walked in briefly scanning the room. Turning to close the doors, she saw her 'family' waiting patiently. Jalyne closed the doors and exhaled the breath she did not realize she was holding.

"Rufus understands what he is doing, right?" Reno turned to Tseng. "Why did he want to test her himself? Does he not trust your judgement? He could have just watched the training sessions."

"I am not sure." He replied.

"Do you think that's what's making her nervous?" Elena surmised.

"She's had time with us." Rude mused. "Rufus hasn't been around. Natural to be nervous."

"Well…he better not hurt her." Reno muttered.

"He knows we are here, and the door is open in case we are needed." Tseng supplied, trying to reassure his Second.

Jalyne had surveyed the room and spied the President outside, hands resting on a railing, looking over the city lit up in green from the Mako reactors. She crossed the office slowly and went out the side door to walk to his side. Jalyne glanced at the stars and idly wondered what it would be like to sail the heavens again. The cool breeze sent a shiver down her exposed back and she looked out past the helipad to the green glow of Mako. Back straight and regal she approached his left side and assumed a resting position taking in Midgar, ready to get this night over with.

Rufus was deep in thought when Jalyne approached him on his left side. Try as he might, the young President was trying to figure out what he should do with her. He had plans of training her as a Turk, then having her as his personal Turk and to be by his side always. He had watched some of the training sessions and had seen how she interacted with one Turk in particular, which unnerved him. Jalyne was his, in his mind, and she aroused him like no other woman did. Rufus stole a sidewards glance at the perfect woman by his side. Jalyne even carried herself like royalty and would be perfect for him. He tapped his cuff to lock the doors to the office and set his ornate shotgun propped up on the railing.

Rufus turned to survey Jalyne, trailing a light touch to her hip and smirked when she shuddered lightly. She had closed her eyes at the contact and stood still, awaiting the next move, her senses alert. He came to stand in front of her and Jalyne turned to face him. Slowly she opened her eyes to meet his, determination burned within them. Rufus reached out and cupped her cheek, then slowly trailed that hand to her waist. This intimate gesture took her off guard and Jalyne closed her eyes in reflex to the action and tried to maintain a calm façade. He pulled her flush to him and she heard the click. Slowly opening her eyes again, Rufus wore a smirk and his grasp tightened around her waist.

"Now." He stated smoothly and silkily. "Break free before I pull the trigger." Rufus had planted his smaller gun to her head. He watched the emotions in her eyes change and her lips twitched trying to contain the smirk. Her training took over.

Jalyne grabbed his left hand, wrenching it off her waist and slid under his gun arm to the ground just as Rufus pulled the trigger, the shot ringing through the air. Stretching out a leg, she kicked him in the lower back, sending him forward. Rufus dove into a roll grabbing his shotgun in the process and came out of it with both guns in hand, pointed at her. She rolled to her feet reaching behind her to draw her blades. Angling the shotgun behind him, he fired, the force sending him to her with speed. Jalyne barely raised her blades to catch the clash of them to his gun. She pushed forward to throw him back, and in a wide arc, back spun with her right blade overhead to strike a blow. Rufus sidestepped it easily and the force of her arc carried her into a cartwheel in which she used to back flip out of the way. Jalyne slid a few feet coming out of the flip only to charge at Rufus again, blades low. She swept with one and blocked his shotgun with the other. Pivoting, Rufus jumped backward to give them space. Rufus paused a moment to take her in, looking at her stance with reverse blades.

"Time to turn this up a notch." He commented and reached into an inside pocket and flicked two coins into the night air. As they came down, Rufus separated his guns and fired. The red beams came coursing towards Jalyne and she realized she did not have time to dodge. Raising her blades, Jalyne took the full force of the blast, which sent her through the glass windows of his office. She rolled down the few steps and landed hard, making her see stars.

The Turks had heard the crash, immediately raising all of their nerves and concerns. Reno ran to the door to open it but it would not budge. Reno kicks the middle, trying to get it to open. Tseng had appeared with his key card and swiped it, to no avail.

"That bastard!" Reno swore and turned to Tseng. "You said he wasn't locking it!"

"Reno!" Tseng snapped sternly. "Calm down." Rude had started shouldering the door, hoping to get it to move. Tseng moved to input the access code. Nothing happened.

"Rufus must have changed the codes."

"But why would he have locked it?" Elena mused.

"Bastard!" Reno iterated pounding on the door. "If he hurts her, I swear…"

"You'll swear what?" Tseng snapped. "I will be forced to execute you. You know the penalty for turning on the Turks."

Reno glared at him but said nothing more.

Jalyne got up on all fours and slowly shook her head, feeling the shards of glass in her hair drop to the ground. She sensed Rufus approaching. When he was near enough to her, he kicked her blades away further. Rufus reached out to grab her arm, and in a fluid motion Jalyne kicked out, creating a fan of glass on ground. As her body rolled, she ignored the pain of glass digging into her exposed skin and planted a heel, launching her body to roll of his back. Rufus had no choice but to let her go, or Jalyne would have snapped his outstretched arm in half. Landing on his other side, Jalyne swept a leg at Rufus, knocking him off balance, while she wrenched the shotgun from his grip and threw it across the office, out of reach.

Jalyne did not hesitate and did not take a breath, advancing on Rufus with unabashed fury. They traded blows but Jalyne's advance was backing Rufus up into his desk. He ripped a leather strap from his pants and blocked one jab of hers, wrenching her arm behind her back. Jalyne swung out with the other, only for him to block that and pin her other arm behind her also. Arms behind her back, he tied them with the leather strap and sat in his chair, pulling her down into his lap. Jalyne struggled for a moment, staring into crystal sapphire eyes. Rufus kept a tight hold of her wrists behind her back in his left hand and with his right, grabbed her at the nape and pulled her to a crushing and forceful kiss.

No! Her mind screamed. Jalyne struggled to break the bonds, but only succeeded in grinding further into Rufus's hips as his grasp kept her in place. He tugged on her wrists causing her gasp in which he forcefully deepened the kiss. She broke the kiss with his allowance and leaned back, staring at him, trying to catch her breath.

"What do you want…" she panted, "with me."

Rufus grinned then and tugged on her wrists causing her discomfort. Jalyne felt her power growing, could feel it encircle her hands.

"You." Came the answer. "and the power you wield."

"Ahh." She mused dipping her head. "Power begets Power. That I understand."

The hairs on neck rose and a chill went down her spine as her senses flared. Jalyne sensed the shot seconds before it happened. Taking control, she snapped the bonds, and rearing up on her right knee she kicked the desk, rotating the chair. Surprising Rufus and her arms now free, she bent Rufus over shielding him from what was coming. The sound of cracking wood and ringing steel filled the air as the bullet went through the chair, Jalyne took the bullet in her left shoulder. She cried out in pain, stunned. Reno! As the chair stopped in its original position, she twisted towards the window, right arm outstretched. Her left hand curled into her shoulder feeling the wound and starting to heal it. Jalyne was on adrenaline, and she was fulfilling Rule Number One. She found the perpetrator quickly and with a tug, pulled the person off the ledge of the adjacent building. Her goal was to pull his across, however her strength had waned from blood loss. Jalyne concentrated a moment before sliding unsteady off the President.

After sensing Jalyne's plea, Reno pulled his mag rod and short-circuited the door throwing it open to see Jalyne slide from Rufus with blood everywhere. Rude was rushing past him.

Jalyne stood weakly in front of Rufus. "I am sorry." She whispered. "I'm sorry." She stumbled back and grappled for the edge of the desk, blood flowing through her left hand. Rufus looked at her with surprise.

"Why?" he questioned.

"Because...this is not how I thought this would go" She lied dropping the façade. Rufus reached out to steady her, but Rude reached her first preventing her from reacting to Rufus and catching her as her legs collapsed underneath. She was shaking.

"What in Shiva's name…?" Elena questioned looking at the destroyed office.

"Rule Number One." Reno answered, a bit too proudly for the moment.

"Protect the President at all costs." Jalyne weakly stated as Rude led her over to chair away from Rufus. Rude knelt in front of her.

"What can I do?" he asked quietly.

"Nothing…I have to get the bullet out." Her hands were weaving with blue tendrils fingers moving. She was looking weaker by the second and breathing hard. Reno had left Tseng and Elena to tend to the President, though he was watching Jalyne curiously.

"Did Rufus do this?" Reno questioned with eyes narrowing.

"No. Sniper." She said wearily. "Assassination I would presume. The culprit should be in the street."

"How'd you get him?" Rude asked.

"Pulled him off the building."

"…"

"Oh, he's still alive, encased in a barrier hovering above any chance of help." Jalyne stated and scrunched her nose in concentration.

"Rude?"

"On it."

Reno switched positions with Rude as he left to grab the sniper from the street. Jalyne was breathing hard and concentrating, blue tendrils working on her shoulder. With a grand exhale the bullet came out and she leaned back in the chair. Handing it to Reno, she glanced over at Rufus, who caught her eye with a smirk as he shrugged out of his jacket. Reno did not miss the ripple along her jawline as she clenched her teeth and glanced over his shoulder at Rufus. When he met her eyes again, they had turned dark as a forest at night.

"What else happened?" He asked harshly.

"Nothing." Came the curt reply.

"I call bullshit." And he stood to go over to the President. She watched carefully, tuning out the conversation and thinking about what Rufus had said to her.

I cannot do this again.

She caught Elena's attention, stood and slipped out the door, stumbling her way back to her place, tears welling in her eyes.