Chapter 24

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A/N - *runs from mob with sticks* Ok! Ok! I'm sorry! I know I promised to update quicker and uh, I didn't. But I've been busy with college and other fics! I also hit a wall in thinking up ideas for this fic. But I'm here now! Yippee!

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Marlene flew across the small cabin as the gusts of wind blowing in from the shattered windscreen became too much for her to hold on in. She landed on the floor with a thump, back against the door leading into the cargo area. Caen reached across and pulled Marlene closer to him. Tifa just lay in Caen's arms and shook, it being too much for her. Midnight hung onto the controls with everything she had, digging her feet under the panel to try and keep herself there. She struggled with the controls, trying to bring the helicopter's nose up and steady it; but it didn't seem to be working. Damn… Midnight cried out to Caen for help.

Caen jumped up and gently laid Tifa in Marlene's arms. Tifa didn't seem to notice; she was having some kind of breakdown. Understandable, considering what she'd been through, Caen thought. This must bring one hell of a déjà vu. Caen heard Midnight gasp. As he spun around, he saw Midnight duck under the control panel as a small aircraft flew into view. Caen threw himself on Marlene and Tifa, knocking them onto the floor as bullets sprayed around the room. The terrified group heard the sound of metal on metal. When the shots stopped, Caen looked up and saw bullet holes around the interior walls. No time to think, just get to Midnight and get us out of here… As Caen leapt over to Midnight and held onto her, placing his hands over hers on the controls and trying his best to bring the helicopter level again, his eyes fell on Reno, still slumped in his chair.

Caen's hands fell off Midnight's, and she felt him move back from her. "Caen?" She tried to look at him, but the aircraft needed piloting. She had managed to get it somewhere near steady now, despite the light aeroplane which kept flying around them. That was what was attacking them; and it was an Extreme craft. She could tell that from the logo emblazoned on its side. So they had tracked them down…Midnight cursed under her breath. She'd worry about Caen later. She had to get the helicopter down safely because it wasn't fair on all these people inside that they were in this position. Extreme weren't after Marlene or Caen, although they would be as soon as they knew they had joined Midnight. Ok, they were after Reno and Tifa, but they weren't the top priority. Midnight knew it was her they were after. They had caught her little sister Arca, and they had taken her half brother Deen because they thought he was a Strife too. Now they were after the oldest Strife. Midnight wouldn't let them have their way with any of the three. Fighting the strong gusts, she tried to manoeuvre the helicopter to the ground.

Caen swallowed the bile in his throat and instinctively moved back. He realised suddenly how critical the Turk could be and checked Reno's neck for a pulse. His heart dropped. Frantically, he placed a hand over Reno's heart and the other on his wrist. Phew. There was a pulse, even though it was weak. Caen examined Reno's injuries carefully. Reno had cuts all over him from the shattered glass. He seemed to have hit his head on the dashboard as he had an ugly lump and bruise on his right temple. The worst injury Reno had though was a deep gash along his right cheek, which was bleeding heavily. Blood ran down Reno's neck and shoulder, staining his white collar crimson. Caen took his bandana off and folded it up into a thick bundle, pressing it hard against Reno's cheek. He then lifted the older man up and dragged him quickly to the back of the helicopter.

Caen sighed with the effort. He laid Reno down with Marlene's bag under his head. "Tifa…are you alright?" Caen wondered; worried for the Avalanche member who still hadn't looked up from Marlene's shoulder. Tifa sighed and turned towards Reno, ignoring Caen completely. She shuffled next to him and held the bandage to Reno's face, her tears mixing with the blood. Marlene put an arm around her. "He'll be alright…"

Caen got up and stepped over to Midnight again, steadying her with his body as she struggled to stay upright. Midnight said nothing. She didn't need to. Caen helped her glide the helicopter into the field beneath them. The engine noise of the plane beside them had faded away, and they felt that now was the best chance to land safely. As the helicopter settled down, Midnight's legs gave way beneath her. Caen felt her start to fall and held her waist, supporting her. Midnight turned and looked into his green glowing eyes and felt a sudden adrenaline rush. Her stomach turned over inside her, as if she had butterflies in it. She hadn't felt like this about anyone. As much as the events of the last few days had occupied her mind, she couldn't help but think about him, see his face every time she closed her eyes. Falling in love was the last thing she wanted to do right now, but you could never choose when to fall in love.

Caen gazed into Midnight's eyes and felt himself growing dizzy as he always did when he stared into those amazing blue spheres for too long. He knew he had to stop soon but he couldn't break free from the bond between them. He knew he was edging closer to her. Now was not the time. Who knew how badly the helicopter was damaged, and whether the Extreme plane was coming. They had to get out and somewhere safe. Caen shook his head and, taking Midnight's hand, turned and pulled her to the back of the helicopter where he struggled with the door. "Lets get out…"

Tifa sat up and wiped her eyes, trying to calm the fears that threatened to send her crazy. She kept her head down and lifted Reno off the ground gently. Marlene walked over and boosted up Reno's legs, helping Tifa to carry him. Reno started to wake, coughing up blood and trying to move. Caen ran over and lifted Reno's middle, allowing Tifa to tend to Reno as he awoke. Midnight meanwhile, had opened the door and unravelled the steps. "Hurry guys, we have to go…"

The small group hurried out of the helicopter, scanning the horizon for signs of being followed, but there was none. Reno had recovered enough to walk, although he was still too weak to run fast. Tifa was hugging and crying all over him, at the same time urging him to walk faster. Underneath the tragic heartbroken character the tough Avalancher still existed. Caen and Midnight were standing together on one side of the group, watching for Extreme. Marlene stood on the other side. All were silent. Caen spoke first. "I think we're near Costa Del Sol… actually, we could be anywhere…" Marlene turned to him. "I think we're nearer…!!!!" She broke off as a fleet of Extreme fighter planes cane over a hill in the horizon and headed towards the helicopter, clearly visible in the middle of a grassy area. Midnight froze. "RUN!!! Split up, they'll get confused of which direction to go that way…"

Tifa and Reno ran off holding hands and leapt into the nearest cluster of trees, where they huddled together in the undergrowth behind a huge rock. They stayed still and the fleet didn't see them.

Marlene, Midnight and Caen ran for their life through the gaps in the trees and ended up at a clearing near a ruined Mako reactor that still stood. The town nearby had a ring of forests around. Caen sighed. "Gongaga… my Dad's hometown…" He yelled, Midnight placing an arm around him as he ran. The three gasped as they heard bullets being fired behind them. Marlene pulled Midnight over to her. "Split up, now!!!" she screamed.

Marlene dived into a nearby shed and cowered in the corner, praying that they hadn't seen her.

Caen and Midnight ran on, until Midnight saw a small cave in the nearby cliff. She pushed Caen into it, but had no time to get in herself before the planes were on her. If she went in now, Caen and her would be cornered. She knew what she had to do. They were after her of course. To avoid Caen being hurt, she ran on and the planes followed her as their target.

Caen scrambled out and watched the scene in front of him in horror.

"…Midnight!!!!"

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