7. Don't be Afraid

Somewhere near the Icicle Inn…

Tifa walked the deserted streets. Her arms were wrapped tightly around her small frame and her hair was blowing everywhere.

The wind wasn't being kind for her tonight.

She shivered and tightened her grip on her own body. The wind was blowing hard and it almost seemed as if it was slashing her body, making small cuts on her porcelain skin and piercing trough her body, freezing her warm blood.

But she kept walking...

Where the hell is he...? She shook her head and brought her hands to her mouth, blowing on them lightly, trying to warm them a bit.

She had her gloves on, and yeah, they were awesome when it came to battling bad guys, but battling cold? Nahh... better leave that to those warm wool mittens. Now those might came in handy on a night like this!

She stopped and stared around her. Nothing but trees and snow. She sighed deeply and stared at the deep blue sky. The stars were shining brightly above her. Well, at least there wouldn't be any snow today...

She sighed again and continued her pace. Why did he decide to go down there on his own? Her mind was torturing her. Cloud had decided to ski down the mountain and she had to stay there waiting! Why?

"Why so troubled...?"

Tifa's walking came into a desperate halt and before you could say 'damn-those-Chocobos-they-sure-are-cute-but-they-are-a-pain-in-the-behind-to-raise' she was in a fighting stance.

Her head moved to the right and to the left, up and down. Where the hell is he?

"You can come out Reno! I know you're around here somewhere you good for nothing Turk!"

She could hear a light chuckling on her left, so she turned and faced an old tree. Nothing threatening about that...

"Chill Teef! Don't be afraid of a 'good for nothing Turk'..." Reno slid behind the old tree. He had is usual attire and his usual smirk on his lips.

Tifa relaxed a bit, since she now knew where the enemy was, all she had to do was focus.

"What do you want?" Her voice came out shaky. Why was that? She definitely wasn't afraid of him! Oh, maybe it was because of the death chilling cold that was freezing every part of her body.

Reno leaned his back against the tree and took out a cigarette. Then he placed one in his mouth. "Want one?" He said while gesturing the almost empty pack of cigarettes in her direction.

Tifa's eyebrows rose. Why isn't he attacking me? I'm alone! I'm a sitting duck for Christ's sake!

She wanted to ask him just that, and she wanted to tell him to stop being such a prick and to stop picking fights with Cloud and her team! So she did!

"Those are bad for your health!"

Well that came out pretty wrong...

Her eyes widened once her brain registered what she had just said. Reno smirked and took a lighter from his pocket.

"My, my. I didn't know you were worried about me gorgeous..."

Well that didn't came out right either!

Reno took a step forward and Tifa took a step back. Reno chuckled, a surprised look on his face. Is she really afraid of me...?

Tifa's heart began to beat faster. What the hell did he want? Sure she was no innocent princess! And sure she could defend herself pretty well! But that was a Turk she would be fighting!

And not just any Turk. Reno was strong! She took a deep breath.

"What do you want?" She found herself repeating those same shaky words. Damn, why was it so cold...?

Reno took another step forward. Tifa took a step back.

"Stop!" She yelled.

Reno raised his hands in front of him.

"It's alright sweetheart! Don't need to freak out over me! I don't have my weapon, see?"

Her eyebrows raised in suspicion. Reno without his weapon? Hmpf! Impossible! Not in a million years. She found herself starring at his pants. There sure was something there. How the hell did he stuff his weapon in there?

Reno smirked. "That's all mine baby... no hidden weapon down there."

Tifa found herself flushing. Where she'd found the blood to do that, was beyond her comprehension.

"Look, Reno. Why don't you leave and let me to do my business?"

Her voice had a tad of annoyance in it, but it was still shaking. God, I can't feel my hands!

Reno's voice came out more serious than usual. "What's your business, freezing to death?"

Was that concern in his voice? "That's not for you to know! If I want to freeze my ass of, then that it is my business!"

He smirked again. "Oh baby don't do that! Seriously, that would be a shame... such a nice- OUCH!"

Tifa's hand flew right into Reno's nose.

"Oh sorry!" her voice was dripping of pure, mean sarcasm. "I didn't mean to do that!"

Reno's cigarette was now on the snowy ground, ruined.

"Aw crap! See what you did?" he picked it up and examined it. Nope... no good...

Tifa crossed her arms.

"Hmpf! I really have nothing more to deal with you, Reno. So bye!" She turned away from him and took a step forward.

Then she stopped...

Reno stared at her back. Something was wrong.

Ow... what's happening...? Tifa raised her hand to her head. Why is everything so bright...?

Then she blacked out. But Reno, being the gentleman he is, was there before she hit the freezing snow on the ground.

"Ah, damn you woman! Why did you leave without even a jacket?" His voice was that of a disapproving older brother. Or of a concerned boyfriend, maybe...?

Tifa's eyes opened up slowly.

"I'm... so... cold..." She managed to spit out.

"Shhh, don't be afraid." Reno said. "I'll take you home." Then he took is jacket and placed it around her small frame.

"Thank you... Cloud..." Reno froze in the spot for a moment, watching as she closed her eyes again. Then he sighed and picked her up.

"Yeah... it figures... the good guys always get what they want... and the bad guys always get what they deserve..."

Reno sighed and took a shortcut to the village inn. Maybe he didn't know it, maybe no one knew it... but deep down, Reno was a good guy...

And you know what they say... good guys always get what they want!

And hell...

He wanted her!