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

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

Chapter 54 – The Amends

"You play the game well, My Lord."

The deity smirked lightly at the Empress. "It is a game of strategy and one we must win."

They gathered within the office of the President content to get out of the winter's chill. Reno relaxed with Jalyne on the couch, wrapping his arms around her. Tseng and Elena took the other couch listening intently at the exchange and Rufus and Rude stood leaning on the President's desk each with a look of concentration upon them.

"Why?" Jalyne questioned to the astonished look of the phoenix. "What hurt the Lord of Night so bad that he hates all?"

"That I do not know." Faterian answered honestly. "We did not meet at the dawn of Time. It was sometime afterward that we each realized we were not alone."

Jalyne paused before continuing. "Is it his own will or that of someone else's?"

"What do you mean, yo?"

"Sephiroth." Jalyne corrected. "Tiemera asked me if it was his will to change Fate or someone else's."

Faterian narrowed his eyes in speculation. "That is indeed very interesting." He stood to leave, walking towards the door to the helipad. Jalyne stood to join him and escort his outward and silently asked the others to stay behind.

"You know how to call me." Faterian turned back to Reno, who raised his hand in salute.

Jalyne walked with the god of Fate in silence across the helipad, deep in thought. He stopped and turned to her suddenly curious on why she followed. She met his gaze steadily before speaking.

"I had to lose my mind to learn that I am balance." She accused.

Faterian nodded slowly. "But only you could learn it."

"You shielded him from me."

Again Faterian nodded. "Yes." He paused. "You had to learn to face the darkness."

Jalyne sighed. "Deep down, I know." She looked towards Meteor. "What was Mother like?"

"She was beautiful, Jalyne. A true interpretation of a goddess." The flaming god whispered wistfully. "She cared for all and guarded the deepest darkness within her expertly, never losing control or succumbing to it until Azarian ripped her apart. My sister was gifted, perhaps the best of all of us Ancients."

"You miss her?"

"Yes, I do." Fate conceded. He shook his head slowly. "Even I didn't see her Fate."

"Always in motion."

He turned to gaze at her thoughtfully, then narrowed his eyes at the Empress. "You met him."

"I can see why my mother loved him." Jalyne conceded raising her eyes to the heavens. "I will keep it safe." She whispered.

It was Faterian's turn to look surprised and Jalyne turned to look at him devilishly. "Again, you play the game well." She elaborated glancing at the office of the President. "Gaia is the unknown – the Ace."

Faterian reached out to hug her. "Sometimes Jalyne, you are too smart for your own good." He chuckled as he looked at her.

Her eyes softened and she reached up to move his burgundy strands away from his ear, tracing it lightly with her fingertips. "They are your people." She surmised and his eyes widened. "Gründlia, the people with foresight and foretelling."

Faterian nodded slowly resting his forehead against hers. "Yes."

Jalyne smiled sadly. "Tell Autielle and Mother that I love them when you see them in Otherworld." She paused. "I will look after DarkienLyy and keep them protected."

"I know, Jalyne." Faterian kissed her forehead. "I will leave for the moment." He paused before stepping back from her. "Grieve, Jalyne." He advised. "Do not let it consume you." Jalyne nodded, stepping back as the god burst into flames. "You know how to call to me."

Jalyne watched him soar into the air to disappear into the Heaven's to continue his journey as Fate. She felt a pull and turned to the southwest and narrowed her eyes lightly wondering what would cause this tug. Something was stirring. Something from the past.

She felt his arms wrap around her and glanced over her shoulder at him.

"Are you okay, yo?" Reno whispered.

"I think so." Jalyne sighed.

"I'm to take you home." He continued. "If you are ready, yo."

Thank you. She threw outward. For everything. She glanced at the window to see the President nod lightly then turned to her red-headed flame. "Ready."

She was restless. That much he could see as he watched over her. She tossed and turned within her covers, muttering and whimpering every so often. Something was on her mind. He finally persuaded her to sleep shortly after they returned to her apartment.

The sun was set to rise within the hour or so as Reno watched Jalyne calm, throwing a bare leg out of duvet and clutching the pillow and sheets. He was worried. Jalyne was silent until they reached her place and he escorted her to the bedroom.

Reno told her he loved her. He was scared, to say the least. The reality of her having to leave at any point of time loomed heavily within his thoughts. Reno's eyes trailed the bare leg up to the curve of her hip and his desire heightened.

The way he kissed her on the helipad wasn't a lie. She was his drug and one he couldn't get enough of. The pull to her was almost painful at times and even as he watched her now, he could feel the pulse of their bond.

Jalyne's breathing became steady and she visibly relaxed. He stood suddenly, looking over her, and slipped off his jacket and shirt, laying them across the chair. Reno wasn't ignoring the unexpected urge to touch her. His hand trailed lightly up her calf and crested behind her knee. He leaned down and trailed light kisses up her leg and thigh coming to rest at her hip.

The sensual and erotic side of him was barely ever present and he moved her lightly to expose her flat and toned stomach. The spikes of his flaming hair scarcely brushed her skin and his tail fell forward as he continued to lightly kiss her. He could sense her emotions even while she slept and he ascertained that she needed this. It was one thing to say one loves another but an entire different meaning to express it.

Reno inhaled a quiet breath as he felt her hand thread through his hair and heard the light sigh escape her. He looked up at her and studied her sleepy expression as one emerald and one forest eye glowed within the dim light of the room.

She looked sad and the expression she wore was of remorse. In Reno's eyes, Jalyne had nothing to be sorry about but he could feel the weight upon her and wanted to take the stress of that weight away from her. He continued the ministrations as her fingers wound deeper into his spikes.

It had nothing to do with sex in his mind which surprised even he. Reno wanted to show her he loved her. He inhaled softly, taking in her scent. There was nothing like it to him and was ethereal to him. Jalyne moaned softly as he made his way to in-between her breasts, slowly and taking his time and sliding his arm under her to cradle her body.

Reno continued upward, allowing his hair to tickle her softly and paused at her collarbone and neck, taking in her scent. He felt her shudder against him and raised his eyes to hers, studying them. Reno would swear you could see the universe within them if you looked hard enough. He watched the tears form within and pulled her tighter to his body.

"I need to make amends, yo." He whispered to her. "It's my fault you went through what you did."

Jalyne's eyes widened at the confession and she gasped in shock, closing her eyes, letting the tears fall unbidden. Her other hand caressed his markings and she pulled him to her, kissing him. "No." she whispered. "It's isn't." she began, leaning her head against his. Reno pulled back to gaze at her with her distant eyes. "It is my Fate."

Reno studied her and at his expression, Jalyne elaborated. "I understand much more now." She paused. "It helped that father explained a few things to me."

"You said your father died when you cast Meteor, yo." He commented confused pulling Jalyne across him and caressing her cheek as she looked up at him.

Jalyne closed her eyes and smiled lightly despite the melancholy mood. "He did." She hesitated concentrating. "The Lifestreams carry our memories, souls and wills within it, is the best I can explain."

"Care to elaborate, yo?"

She gave him a sidelong glance before replying. "It's a long elaboration and can wait a little bit." His brows shot into his hairline as she pulled him to her, kissing him longingly.

Reno gazed at Jalyne from the patio doorway, admiring the view. She was dressed in a simple white lace night dress that split under her bosom, flowing out downward. Her white hair was swept up and he could see her necklace glinting in the dawn's light.

Dressed in plain black lounge pants he made his way to her, not concerned about the winter's chill as Jalyne had heating orbs hovering above. He watched as she took a deep sigh and raised her head to the dimming stars and the ruddy glow of the calamity.

Reno wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. "I'm sorry, yo." He whispered again. "For everything. I should have been there. I should have stayed, yo."

"It is not your fault." She replied letting the tears fall, accepting the apology and leaning her head back onto his shoulder. "In many ways, the situation made me realize a great many things."

"Such as?"

"How selfish I can be." She commented. "The illusions and bindings were masterful but the last one was truly awakening to me."

Jalyne reached up and touched his cheek, closing her eyes. Reno felt the connection, the silent asking of becoming one. Once he assented the images flowed showing him the situation with Sephiroth. He growled lightly pulling her tighter until it shifted to her perspective. Even with the smuthering will of Sephiroth, the bond between them held as he witnessed what her thoughts were in that moment.

"Angry as I was," Jalyne whispered. "I couldn't hate you, I couldn't…be away from you. Deep down – I realized that I will always love you and nothing – absolutely nothing will ever change that."

"But you lost in the end. Because of me, yo." He reiterated. "You descended into darkness."

Jalyne turned to look at him, eyes softening though she wore a hint of a smile. "You broke me." She whispered. "I wanted nothing more than to run after I called Meteor. Disgusted that I betrayed you – all of you and angry that I allowed it happen and could not contain my own weakness and darkness."

Jalyne hesitated a moment in reflection. "Mother's power was great and the influx of it I was always afraid of. But…when the bond broke it was more excrutiatingly painful than I could ever dream of in torturous scenarios. I saw you collapse and everything I have ever wanted was taken from me – by my own hand and no one else's."

"I had a hand in that you know, yo."

"No you didn't." she stared at him. "The black materia I tried so hard to protect broke into your mind." She paused. "And you saved me."

Reno reached up and cupped her cheek fondly. "I don't see how. I pushed you away, many times."

"But we are resilient." Jalyne countered. "Faterian will tell you it was the word that I was waiting for and in many ways he was right. In truth, though, it was when the Lifestream brought us together and you let me in you mind. Truly, wholly and without consequence. It wasn't my light that shone in that instance – but yours." Jalyne turned and crossed her wrists upon the metal railing lost in thought for a moment.

"What was that light?" Reno suddenly questioned.

Jalyne glanced over to him as he settled next to her. "Depending on which perspective you choose to look at will depend on the interpretation."

Reno raised a brow at her and she sighed lightly. "It is the divergence of Fate and Time – created when Azarian ripped my Mother's soul and split it into two. It also harbored my Choice – one I was afraid to make."

"Why, yo?"

"Because in my entire existence, the darkness threatened to overtake the light." Jalyne reached for his hand, taking it within hers. "We all have darkness within. You taught me that and in it's core saved me from the same Fate as Mother. The crossroads needed my choice to decide its' path." Jalyne sighed heavily. "As Faterian stated – I am what Mother should have been. The perfect balance between light and dark and able to wield both when warranted. Except I'm imperfect."

"You sound unsure, yo."

"I am, Baelo." Jalyne conceded. "It is not something easily obtained and even now I am afraid."

"Don't be, yo." Reno crossed behind her and wrapped her in his arms again. "I'm here." He stated kissing the top of her head.

She smiled warmly. "I know." She cupped her hands together and looked at him. "But now – no more hiding."

Reno raised his eye brows in question.

"I return to you what you have given me."

"Jalyne?" he asked alarmed.

She knelt before him, pulling her arms behind her and crossing her wrists and bowed her head. Reno didn't know what to do and his eyes widened as Solaria's words drifted to him. Do not confuse submission with domination. Submission is giving one's entire being to another without regret or consequence. It is the truest love that we all wish to find and a bond that is so deep it is almost incomprehensible. It is the totality of giving one's self to another.

"I need to make amends also, My Lord." She whispered formally. "I am imperfect but if you allow – I give myself you, wholly and without consequence." Jalyne raised her teary eyes to him. "I wish for you to 'see' me as you allowed me to 'see' you within the Lifestream."

Unsure of what to do, Reno knelt before her, lifting her chin with a finger. He studied her for a moment, eyes in question and finally nodded in assent.

Jalyne closed her eyes and let the tears fall down her cheeks. When you accept fully who you are to become, Jalynemidenovia e T'Karvriandria, and allow the one that you love to share your burdens – all things are possible. She remembered her best friends words. "I love you, Reno Sinclair." She whispered. "And nothing in the Heavens will ever take it away."

The pulse within pulled at him and Reno sat upon the patio pulling Jalyne to him. She placed her arms in front of them, wrists upward and the glow of the infinity markings pulsed in rhythm. He witnessed everything of hers – the memories, the tortures, the training and images of hers fears and phantoms. Her power awakened, encompassing them both and he started to understand the weight upon her.

The vision settled upon her conversation with her father through Trerran's Lifestream. Reno had his answer and as he listened to her thoughts and mind of the conversation, he understood her blessing on the helipad. Her father wanted nothing but to protect her from this – the events that would change the outcomes of all there is. Avriandroktnoktre e T'Karvriandria, the Darkened Night of T'Karvia, knew who his daughter was to become and it frightened him. So he did the only the thing he knew how and trained her to be the best there ever was and taught her to guard against all for protection.

Reno felt Jalyne shudder at the revelation of who killed her mother, Illyandria and how her father mourned the passing. It was Yelovria's essence within Trerran's Lifestream that took her life prematurely, for in truth, Avrian loved Illyandria for all that she did for Jalyne. His mistake was allowing the rumors of her demise to take hold and warp the truth.

Jalyne shifted and crumpled within his lap, crying and grieving for the loss of her father and mother. Reno held her tight, letting the storm pass and kept her comforted.

It was Reno's turned to be taken aback at the last and final image of flames and the newest truth that Jalyne pieced together. He pulled her closer in shock and through the bond, Jalyne felt the emotion ripple through him. She adjusted to kneel in front of him, keeping her eyes closed and leaned her forehead against his as his memories filtered through. Jalyne reached up, wiping the lone tear that escaped him and heaved a great breath.

"We all have a Fate and a path, My Lord." She whispered. "Most times, we do not know or understand why. I have found it. The Eternal Flame."

"Jalyne." Reno choked out, shutting his eyes. She raised a finger to his lips.

"What I have lost – you have gained." She kissed him lovingly. "Guard it well. Keep it hidden. Keep it safe."

Reno kissed her back. "I love you, yo."

Jalyne looked at him, wiping the tears from her face. "I am so sorry, Reno. If I would realized sooner."

Reno cupped her cheek. "As you said – we don't always know why." He looked closer at her. "Your crescent moon changed." He commented. "There's now a six-point star, yo." He slid his legs underneath him, lifting Jalyne bridal style. "I think we're going to have some long talks though, yo."

Jalyne chuckled within his grasp as he led her indoors. "Thank you." She whispered. "I really didn't expect it to get so emotional."

"Feel better, though?"

"Like a weight has been lifted." Jalyne honestly stated.

"Yeah, well, now that all that feeling shit is over and we know we'll be okay." He stared devilishly at her. "You can feed me, yo."

Jalyne quirked an eyebrow at him and smirked at the innuendo that was associated with that statement.