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

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

I do own my own character – Jalyne.

Author's Note: Well, I've uploaded my first 3D image of Jalyne as the cover. I hope you all enjoy it. There will be more to come as I have the time to work on the artwork. I will be making my own interpretation of Reno in the next one.

Let me know what you think in the reviews. Enjoy this next chapter!

Chapter 25 – The Plan

Jalyne stood up, her heels lightly clicking on the tile, and started walking to her seat, knowing Reno's eyes were upon her and when she heard a distinctive click, she inwardly sighed. She knew what would happen next and more importantly, why. Jalyne spun around, calling both training swords to her hands, and clashed with Reno's mag rod. She stared at his eyes only taking a glance at the smirk he wore.

"Damn, yo." He whispered. "You look great as a red head too."

Jalyne's eyes lit up and she ran her tongue across her teeth and lips seductively distracting him. "Thank you, but…" she started to say.

"But…what?" Reno asked, raising an eyebrow, glancing down at her luscious glistening lips.

"I really didn't want to hurt you today. We had such a nice weekend." Jalyne commented and heard commotion in the background and assumed Elena was holding her own. She flicked her wrist and pushed outwards lightly with energy sending Reno back a few steps.

One might say it was entertaining to see the Turks battle each other in their office with the President idly looking on from his position behind the desk. Jalyne engaged Reno in close, confined weapons battle, while Elena chose hand to hand with Rude while Tseng looked on. Reno couldn't use his speed in a confined area which gave Jalyne the advantage. She managed to put him to the ground and finally tapped him with just enough force for him to see stars but not to injure him severely. Elena had taken Rude down to the ground and was engaging Tseng.

Jalyne missed Rufus circling behind her so when he grabbed her shoulder and swung her into the wall, it took her momentarily off guard. Rufus didn't hesitate as he pulled her wrists over her head and forcibly kissed her. She didn't back down even after hearing Reno's growl in disapproval and reacted with the same ferocity. Rufus stepped back and Jalyne opened her violet eyes to stare into his.

"Hmph." The President grunted, stepping away from her. Jalyne went and extended a hand to Reno, helping him up off the floor. Tseng was doing the same for Elena and Rude and they all stopped and waited for the President to say something. Finally, Jalyne stepped forward to address him for she really wanted to see Adrian for a drink and grew impatient.

"So…did we pass?" she challenged raising an eyebrow at Rufus with curiosity crossing her violet eyes. "Are the illusions to your satisfactory?" she added turning around.

"Just making sure you can hold them." Rufus stated walking behind the desk. "In any situation."

"My illusions only dissolve when I want them to." She replied. "or I die. It wouldn't be any good if it rattled at the first emotional distress." Jalyne chuckled then. "Pretty sure I'd be dead if it was that easy to disrupt."

Reno peered at her slyly. "If you can hide your mark, why don't you? You've always hated it."

"I also hate the lie." She explained. "I lived a great number of days as someone else. One must be careful to not become the lie." Jalyne paused sadly remembering Trerran. "We're a proud people, never afraid of our markings." She whispered truthfully.

"What is the plan?" Rude question. "It is a little obvious that the ladies will be alright. They're Turks after all."

"Jalyne and I will go speak with Adrian later." Reno advised. "Though I already know the answer to that question."

"Before we move on to that…" Jalyne spoke up looking shrewdly at the president. "Are the disguises good? You have the intel on Solarna, would we be able to attract his attention?"

Rufus studied them for a moment. "The question will be can you dance? His weakness is the dancing, that's why posing as a dancer is optimal."

"I don't think that is optimal. The mystery will be with Elena and I being together."

"That is definitely a turn on, yo." Reno pointed out.

"How many women go to strips clubs here?" Jalyne pressed on, narrowing her eyes a bit.

"It's not common." Rude supplied. "Not unheard of. Just not common."

"And do you not think seeing two women to one's particular taste would not be a challenge to conquer, especially if he likes being dominant?"

"I don't have an argument." Reno chuckled. "I'm sold."

"And what happens when he wants you both, together?" Rufus asked staring at his newly auburn-haired Turk. Jalyne closed her eyes and snapped her fingers, dissolving the illusions and returning them to normal, finding they were very distracting to the gentlemen.

"A man's dream." Reno muttered smiling wistfully. Jalyne chuckled and stared intently at the president.

"I, personally, don't have an issue with it." she chose her words carefully and looked away.

"Whoa, wait a minute…" Reno nudged her lightly. "What are you saying, yo?"

"Did you really think that all the high-power positions in the Empire are held by men?" She looked at them bemused staring at Reno and Rude. "You two have seen some of it."

Elena looked at her wide-eyed. "Wait, are you saying…"

"Yes, Elena." She stated with exasperation. "My training and experience involves seducing both male and female."

Reno planted his palm to his forehead in disbelief. "Oh, the thought of it alone…"

Jalyne turned to him shrewdly. "I thought you would have read between the lines, Reno, when I told you that we are a bit…freer in thinking." Jalyne walked over to Elena and took her hands. "Look, I'm not going to place you in any danger."

"No back door." Rude stated changing the conversion of which he was distinctly uncomfortable with.

"I'm sure Adrian has eyes on the club and that he could let us into the network." Jalyne paused. "And if not, we can probably get them in place."

"When do you want the mission to take place?" Tseng questioned to Rufus.

"Wednesday."

"Right before the holiday?" Elena asked. "I better learn how to dance."

"My informants state that he is always there on Wednesdays." Rufus explained. "I want that information so I can plan accordingly."

"Reno, see if Adrian can meet you two now at the club. Let Jalyne get a good look at the area." Tseng ordered. Reno saluted him and excused himself to make the phone call. "The more information we can gather and put in place the better. Elena, when Jalyne returns, meet with her to go over details for the club and your characters." He nodded at Rufus to dismiss them of which he gave his approval.

As the others filed out to attend to matters, Rufus brushed Jalyne lightly in the arm, catching her attention. He pulled out his phone, sent a quick message and guided her to the desk. The President gathered up papers while Jalyne leaned on the desk and waited. Finally, Rufus came around and stood in front of her, looking at her curiously.

"Sir?" Jalyne asked quirking an eyebrow at him, letting him come in between her legs as she scooted back to sit on Tseng's desk.

Rufus studied her for a moment. "Are you sure you are ready for this?"

"Do you not trust me yet?" she countered.

"Of course, I do. But this is your first mission undercover." He commented looking into her emerald eyes deeply. "Are you sure you can handle it?"

Jalyne didn't answer right away but gave the nod in acceptance. Rufus inched closer to her never taking his eyes from hers. She wasn't surprised when he leaned in to kiss her softly and accepted it with equal passion and when she finally opened her eyes, Rufus found what he was looking for. Deep within those rich green eyes, he saw the swirl of vengeance and hate, traits that weren't known to the lady he just kissed.

"I will be alright, Sir." Jalyne stated quietly, looking away and moving to walk towards the door. She turned to him as she opened it. "Besides, it's what I'm good at." As she closed the door she whispered to herself. "To be the unsuspected weapon no one sees coming."

As they made their way to Hadaka no Josei, Jalyne barely spoke to Reno and was content to stare out the window to the streets of Midgar. Reno secured the appointment with Adrian and the owner was excited to see them. Reno parked at the entrance where he spied Adrian waiting patiently. Reno reached out for a handshake but Jalyne beat him by wrapping Adrian in an embrace.

"It's been too long, Adrian." She stated kissing him lightly on the cheek causing him to chuckle.

"That it has, my dear." Adrian reached out to shake Reno's hand. He led them inside the club and Jalyne looked around in curiosity noting the modern décor, booths in the rear of the large central room and the beautifully finished bar at the left. She spied the poles that decorated the main stage and the two side stages.

"What are those for?" Jalyne questioned curiously stepping onto the main stage, feeling the smoothness of the marble beneath her feet. She reached out and grabbed the main pole walking around in a circle and watched it spin and move with her.

"She's never seen a stripper pole?" Adrian whispered to Reno.

"Jalyne's not from around here. She's been sheltered most of her life." The Turk lied with a smirk.

"They're for the dancers to use. They climb and spin on them." Adrian called to Jalyne. The owner's eyes took look curious as Jalyne threw a devilish grin to him in response. She sat down on the main stage and waited for Reno to begin explaining the plan for Adrian.

"Adrian, do you have surveillance here?" Reno started looking around the club to spy cameras.

"We have a few." Adrian began. "What's going on? You were vague when you called."

"We need information on Raphael Solarna."

"Ahh. That one." Adrian paused. "He's always here on Wednesdays and Saturdays. He meets some…questionable personnel."

"We hear he likes the ladies?" Jalyne interjected.

"Oh, that he does. They don't like his attitude."

"Really?" Reno sarcastically stated. "We heard he likes to get rough."

"Yes. Some of the ladies don't care for that. He prefers red-heads and light brunettes. The ladies have been wearing blonde wigs."

"He takes them to the back rooms?" Jalyne pressed him. "Can I see?"

"Sure." Adrian rose to lead them to the back room. They entered a long hall with rooms lined along both sides. The end of the walkway was the emergency door that led out to the alleyway.

"There's your door." Jalyne commented to Reno stepping into one of the curtained doorways.

He followed behind her, observing some of the decorations that accompanied this particular dungeon, and looked on as Jalyne froze facing the lounge bed and steel crossbeams shaped in an X with restraints sawdered to it.

"He likes this one the best." Adrian commented to them. "He's a rough one."

Reno turned and nodded to Adrian to leave them for a moment of which he accepted, pulling the heavy velvet curtain closed. Jalyne looked around, observing the various torture equipment.

"Are you okay?" Reno asked her as she reached out to touch one of the whips.

Her empathy heightened as her fingers contacted the leather binding and her telepathy went ballistic as she picked up images and feelings. Jalyne dipped her head and concentrated on the images that were flowing, breathing hard. Reno slid his arms around her in comfort.

"Jalyne?" he whispered as she turned within his grasp, breaking the connection. She paused a moment, hands fisting at her sides and when she raised her eyes to his, Reno saw a look that he's only seen twice before. He looked into the deep black-green swirl of her irises and reached up to her mark. Jalyne took his hand in hers and closed her eyes.

"I'll be fine, Reno." She finally said opening her eyes to his. He kissed the top of her head, hiding the look he wore at seeing her eyes return to normal. Something was off with her.

"Are you sure, yo?"

"Yes." She stated breaking apart from him. "Shall we let Adrian know what the plan is?"

"Might as well." Reno chuckled a little. "But do we even have a plan?"

Jalyne opened the curtain to the patient waiting host and laughed. "Sure, we do…I'm going to persuade Adrian to make me my drink."

They made their way to the main area, Jalyne speaking to Adrian quietly along the way. He laughed and made his way behind the bar and started preparing her a drink while Jalyne took a seat on the main stage again.

"So, Reno, what do you need?" Adrian asked as he began to make Jalyne's drink.

"Whiskey on the rocks."

"I don't think that's what he meant, Reno." Jalyne commented laying down on the marble floor. Reno looked over at her and shook his head. "He's referring to the plan." Both guys watched her curiously as rolled backwards into a handstand and then placed her right foot on the floor and curled her left leg around the pole. She pushed off the floor to spin on the pole upside down and after a few circles she pulled up to grab it, swinging her legs outward and coming to land gracefully with one hand on the pole and her other outstretched over her head with her back arched. Adrian cocked an eyebrow and whispered to Reno who walked over to the bar to grab his whiskey.

"Please tell me you're hitting that." Adrian whispered to Reno. "And if you aren't and she's available, please for the love of all there is, send her my way."

Reno raised his glass to lips to hide the cocky smirk on his face and whispered back. "A gentleman never tells, yo. And that is my partner."

"I believe I told you to watch out for that one."

"And I am." Reno laughed.

Jalyne looked at them bemused as she strode over to them. "That was fun." She reached for her drink and chuckled. "The plan?"

They both blinked and then straightened up, ready for business.

"Adrian, we need surveillance in the back room." Reno began. "Would you mind holding his favorite room open for the evening?"

"I do that anyway." He commented. "Solarna pays for it up front when he comes in."

"Hold the room next to it too." Jalyne interjected her eyes in thought.

"Jalyne?" Reno looked at her. "What are you thinking?"

"There are no doors or windows in the rooms, but the exit is down the hall." She started. "We need a camera in that room and a place where the Turks can monitor the video."

"We can do that from the alleyway." Reno said.

"And if something goes wrong?" Jalyne replied.

"It would be better if we were nearer." Reno conceded. "But we need no one to bother us."

"No one would." Adrian affirmed. "We keep a tight hold on who is where. I can place one of my bouncers in between the doors to make sure."

"So here it is." Reno began, forming the plan in his head. "Jalyne and Elena will be here at the bar."

"Adrian, will you be here that night?" Jalyne interrupted.

"No, but I can be if you want."

"Please. We'll be in disguise and we don't want to interrupt business. It would be better if you were here."

"Oh?" the bartender asked lightly at the mention of her in disguise. "You would make a killing with that long, white hair of yours." He flirted.

Jalyne smiled warmly at him. "Maybe another time." She promised. "But I'll be a red-head and Elena will be the brunette."

"I can't wait to see you as a red-head, Jalyne."

Reno hid his smile behind his and coughed, catching their attention. "We will need to be in place before the club opens. What time does he usually arrive?"

"Opens at nine and he's usually waiting in the line to enter at opening. What did he do to piss the President off?"

"Same as always…treason, corruption, spreading false lies." Reno answered. "He's making business deals to undermine Rufus."

Adrian nodded in understanding. "So, you want to have a chat with him?"

"Yep."

"The music is loud?" Jalyne questioned. Adrian nodded in the affirmative. "Good, that should cover any noises." She looked at Reno and waited for him to continue.

"Jalyne and Elena will pose as girlfriends enjoying a night out." The Turk began. "Tseng, Rude and I will monitor the cameras from the room next to the one he likes. Jalyne will persuade him to take her and Elena back there where we can have a little chat with him."

"Just a chat?" Adrian asked.

"For now." Reno paused looking at Jalyne who wore an indecisive look. "The President will decide how big of a threat and what to do afterwards."

"Standard fee?"

"Yes." Reno agreed outreaching his hand.

"Double." Jalyne countered, answering Reno's gaze with a wink. "To cover the cost of the extra room, drinks and food."

Adrian cocked an eyebrow at her. "Does she realized how much that is?"

"Does it matter?" Reno answered. "I'll make it happen."

They continued on speaking of irrelevant topics while they finished their drinks. Adrian was just as enthralled with the newest Turk as most people were if they spoke with her at length. She laughed and chuckled with the guys as they each took turns telling jokes or telling her stories. Finally, Reno looked at his watch and snapped his head up, placing a few gil on the bar for their drinks.

"Duty calls, Adrian." He said clasping his hand in farewell. "Thank you for everything. We'll drop the fee into your account by end of business. We'll see you Wednesday around 5." Jalyne hugged him in farewell and made her way to the exit, heading to the car.

"I told ya you have watch that one." Adrian said to Reno looking at her retreating form. "She's…"

"Special." Reno finished. "Don't I know it."

"I know that look." His friend commented. "You may want to tell her before it's too late."

"What look?"

Adrian chuckled at the Turk and nudged him to leave. "You're taken with her. Jalyne means something to you."

Reno waived that comment off. "Nope. I'm the eternal bachelor, yo." And turned to walk towards the car.

"Keep telling yourself that." Adrian muttered to himself, amused.

They convened in the Turks office to relay details of the upcoming mission. Jalyne was only half listening as Reno explained what occurred at Hadaka no Josei as she was occupied with what would or could happen. Reno finished his report and leaned back in his chair, throwing his hands behind his head.

"Once Jalyne or Elena get him to the back room, we'll take over persuading him for information." Tseng was saying. "By force if necessary."

"Guards." Rude stated. "We'll have to take out his guards." Reno snapped his head to his partner.

"What do you mean?"

"While you were off securing the club, we scoured footage from our informant. Solarna always has two bodyguards and it looks like they stand guard outside of the room when he takes the girls back."

"Heh, looks like we'll have some fun after all." Reno commented.

"There is another way." Jalyne said quietly. Her green eyes landed on the President who was sitting behind Tseng's desk. "You may not want him harmed." Rufus quirked an eyebrow at her, so she further explained. "If you attack him and his guards and let him live, Solarna will scream at the top of his lungs that Shinra was behind the attack. You may not want to deal with the PR nightmare in addition to all that is currently going on. If you kill him, you open up all the resistance to Shinra falling together to form an alliance."

Rufus lifted his hand to his chin deep in thought. He finally looked at his Turk and raised an eyebrow at her. "Suggestions?"

"There are more…" she paused searching for the right word. "…subtle ways to obtain the objective."

"What are you saying?" Tseng questioned.

"I am saying that we can obtain the information and not beat the hell out of him."

"That takes all the fun out of it." Reno objected sourly.

"Well?" Rufus pressed.

"I am a telepath." Jalyne continued. "But the mind can be fragile. I could easily break him and make him a slobbering pool of shetakkeiae if I am not careful."

"Shetak-? Elena tried to say in question.

"In your words…horse shit." Jalyne laughed. "Though not quite accurate, but you get my meaning."

"Jalyne?" Reno caught her attention. "You are not thinking…"

"Ah." She paused. "I am."

"What?" Rufus asked a bit irritated.

Reno groaned and put his head in his hands. "But that would mean you would have to relieve him of that, or he'll go insane. Death would be better than that."

Each of the Turks and the President stared at her waiting for an explanation to Reno's words. Jalyne chuckled lightly.

"Not if I have the antidote handy, Reno." She answered and looked at each of them. "He's referring to a particular drug we use at home. He was privy to it on our travels."

"It's unbearable." Reno interjected.

Jalyne scrunched her brows in thought. "I am going to Litrandan with Rude tomorrow. I can speak with Sol. There should be a lesser version of passia we could use. Hopefully, she has the antidote too."

"Hopefully?" Rufus asked.

"We don't always carry the antidote or have one made. It makes things more…interesting."

"And how would you persuade Solarna to take a drug?" Tseng asked looking at her speculatively.

"Does he like that sort of thing?" she threw the question at Rufus, who was staring at her wide eyed. "What? I've said that the games we play are far, far more treacherous than simple interrogation."

"You're putting yourself at risk." The President stated stubbornly. "I don't like it. And yes, he's been known to dabble with drugs. It's theorized that is how his ladies are more…accepting of his advances."

"I'll be okay." Jalyne replied just as stubbornly. "Elena will be there too. Everyone will be there…they'll get me out of trouble if necessary."

"Thanks for the confidence boost." Reno said wryly. "But I'm with the president. I don't like you putting yourself in the line of fire with passia. That's one nasty drug." He paused a moment and narrowed his eyes. "Would you react to it?"

Jalyne closed her eyes remembering situations that it was used on her and when she opened them to look at Reno, he noticed the shadow that haunted her. "Yes." She stated truthfully. "But I'm not taking it. Of course, if you want to wreck Adrian club and cause massive damage, there are a couple of spells I'm just dying to try out." She added dangerously.

"Would Sol have a less potent drug?" Rude asked. "If she could formulate a pill that looks similar but is a dummy then we wouldn't have to worry."

"Hm." Jalyne paused. "I'm sure she could. She would know what would work and what wouldn't. We'll ask her tomorrow."

"Two hours?" Rufus asked suddenly. "That's all you'll need?"

Jalyne nodded at him. "Give or take, depending on what she has on hand. She keeps passia under tight control."

"That's because of how dangerous it is." Reno said sourly.

"What exactly is passia?" Tseng inquired.

"It's a drug that induces intense sexual desire." Jalyne answered with a shrug of her shoulders. "And the only cure is sex if you don't have the antidote. Depending on the dose, the effects can last a long time."

"And how exactly did Reno fall for it?"

"An arrow through the shoulder. Luckily, the pellet didn't rupture, and I was able to pull it out and heal the wound."

Tseng remained impassive as he stared at her. "Lucky indeed."

Rufus stood up placing his hands on the desk. "Alright, we at least have some sort of strategy for Wednesday. I expect the finer details to be worked out. Dismissed. Jalyne, stay behind a moment."

"I'll take you home." Reno offered quietly. "I'll be at the car." Jalyne nodded and waited for everyone to leave and turned to Rufus.

"You don't like it." She stated.

"Not really." He replied coming to stand in front of her, scrutinizing her. "But I would rather not make a scene at the club. Adrian has always been good to us."

"He was your informant." Jalyne shrewdly stated, raising her chin.

"Yes."

"Good. Then you won't mind paying him double." She turned to leave but Rufus grabbed her wrist to stop her.

"I don't." he said. "And I will." Rufus slowly ran his hand down to hers and clasped it. "I worry for you."

"Why?"

"Because you've changed." He paused. "Any word on Sephiroth?"

Jalyne closed her eyes, resisting the pull that she felt, and Rufus saw the struggle flash through her body. "No. I can't sense him either."

"Do you find that strange?" Rufus lifted her chin to look at her.

"I-I…don't know." Jalyne hesitated and took a step backwards and he tightened his grip on her hand.

"Do not lie to me, Jalyne. Ever." He commanded. "You can tell me anything."

"It's the Black Materia." She finally stated. "It-It calls to me."

"Can you fight it?"

"I have been." Jalyne replied. "It calls to my darker emotions. Perhaps I should have taken it and left it to the deep darkness of the Heavens."

"Why didn't you?"

"Because Sephiroth would have found it." She took a deep breath. "It calls to him as it does to me."

Rufus did something unexpected at the moment and raised her hand to his lips, placing a kiss upon it. Jalyne looked curiously at him. "I have not forgotten." He replied to her look cryptically. "Reno is waiting. Get some rest, Jalyne."

The car ride to her apartment was quiet, neither of them saying a word and both thinking of the upcoming mission. Reno pulled to the curb and before he could even turn the car off, Jalyne had exited the vehicle and made her way to the elevator. He caught up to her just before the doors closed and step in with her. She shook her head coming out of her thoughts and stared blankly at him. They rode the elevator in silence and when the doors opened, Reno invited himself in. Jalyne turned to him, realizing he followed her off the elevator and before she could thank him, he pushed her up against the wall, giving her a crushing kiss.

"You're welcome." He whispered when they broke apart. "Now, will you tell me what is bothering you?"

Jalyne looked at him knowing he was going to press the issue. After not replying for a few seconds, he turned from her and ran a hand through his spikes, agitated.

"What did Rufus do?" he asked again, impatiently.

"Nothing." She whispered. When she raised her eyes to look at him, he caught the trace of fear flash through them and narrowed his in response. Jalyne reached for him then, wanting the security and comfort that he had always seemed to give her. She laid her head on his shoulder and took a deep breath, feeling the pull of the Black Materia within her wall. "The darkness is coming."