Disclaimer:

I don't own FFVII…we'll leave it at that…

Author's Note:

Well, here it is! Hope you like this chapter! When you're done let me know how I did! I want to know if I did good or bad!


I opened my eyes and rolled onto my back, yawing lazily. I lifted my wrist to look at my watch and looked at it in surprise. It was 6:12. It didn't feel like I had been sleeping for three hours.

I stretched and decided to get up. Reno would probably want to go soon. I pushed the warm covers off of me and got out of bed, slipping my feet back into my sandals. I walked into the bathroom and brushed out all the tangles in my hair before going back downstairs.

Reno was still sitting on the couch, he had the evening paper sprawled about on his lap and was looking at it intently. He looked up at me then gathered the paper and rose from the couch, placing the pile of papers back down where he had been sitting.

I stared at it; full knowing that Red loved to read the evening paper. I sighed and walked toward it, putting it together before placing it on the coffee table. "If Red had seen that, he would have gone crazy."

Reno shrugged. "He could have put it back together himself." I gave him a look of pure astonishment. Was he for real? Reno saw my look and chuckled. "What? I'm just screwin' with your head, Lockheart," he said, reaching up and ruffling my hair.

I sighed and blew a few stray strands out of my eyes. "I just brushed that, thank you."

"Any time," he said, smiling. "Come on." He patted me on the shoulder before walking to the door.

I sighed again and ran my fingers through my hair, trying to tame it as best as I could. I followed Reno out and walked with him to the small bar that Johnny was performing at. Reno showed our tickets to a girl standing at the door then walked ahead of me pulling me along behind him. We sat down at a small two-person table close enough to the small stage.

A waitress came by a few moments later and asked if we wanted anything to drink. Reno nodded. "Just bring two glasses of red wine." The waitress nodded and walked away. Reno looked at me. "Is that alright?"

I nodded. "Yeah, I have a craving for wine anyways."

The waitress returned with the wine and Reno grabbed some bills out of his wallet and handed them to her before sipping his wine. I picked up my glass and took a sip. I pulled it back, awed at the intensity of the flavor.

Reno smirked when he saw the look on my face. "Never had Cosmo Canyon red wine, huh?"

I shook my head, taking another sip. "No, I never thought it tasted this good."

I looked up and smiled as the lights around dimmed and the stage lights lit up. An announcer's voice came over the speakers. "And now, ladies and gentlemen! The man of the hour! Johnny "Slapstick" Capone!"

Johnny walked out onto the stage and waved as he grabbed the microphone. He greeted us warmly and wasted no time in getting his gig started.

Two hours later, Johnny left the stage leaving the crowd in a state of hysterical laughter. Everyone rose out of their seats and applauded even though he was no longer visible. I was still laughing and I couldn't stop. Everything he said was quite blunt but it was true. It would have been a shame if I had missed it.

Reno and I finished our wine before walking out of the bar. We strode toward the Eternal Flame that stood in the middle of the small town and watched the flames flicker. "So, uh," Reno said, scratching the back of his head. "Did you like it?"

I nodded, still staring in the fire. "Oh, I loved it! I've heard stories but I never thought he was so funny!" I replied, still giggling at some of the things he had said.

"Cool," he simply said, turning back and gazing at the dancing flames.

I thought for a few moments before turning to him. "Well, I better be getting back. Thanks again, Reno."

He nodded, still staring intently into the fire. "No problem. I'll see ya."

I nodded and walked away nonchalantly.