A/N: I don't own any FFVII characters. Sorry this is such a long chapter, but this isn't the end! I'm writing the next chapter now.

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Since waking up that morning, the day had been a quiet one for Reno and Tifa. They had a hearty breakfast, and spent the rest of the day lounging around, stealing glances at each other and exchanging smiles, touches, kisses.

During their first month together, Tifa would ask if Reno was tired of her, insisting that she was the most boring person on the planet. Reno would just smile at her. In reality, he enjoyed spending the day lounging around, and spending time with her. They didn't even have to speak; her silence was just as good as her conversation. The presence she had about her shone in everything she did: her speech and actions were filled with passion and grace. At times, it overwhelmed Reno so much that he would feel as if his heart would explode if he didn't get some release. So he'd walk over to her and stare into her eyes lovingly, trying to convey his feelings directly to her soul. She felt his love emanating from every fiber in his body, and knew that her love for Cloud was nothing in comparison. And she would stroke his cheek gently and smile at him, letting her eyes tell him that she felt the same way about him, kissing him softly before losing herself in those aquamarine eyes and strong, soft hands.

The approaching night found Tifa curled up in Reno's arms as they watched television. She had her head resting on his chest, and his hand was playing with her hair. Her eyes were closed, a smile still on her lips. He hated to move her, but his bladder wouldn't let him hold out much longer.

"Babe," he whispered softly, kissing her forehead.

"Mm?" she murmured as her eyes fluttered open.

"Go to bed," he told her.

"I wasn't asleep," she replied, looking up into his eyes. Her smile widened and she batted her eyelashes at him, as he kissed the tip of her nose. "Well, in that case, would you mind getting up for a bit? You're cutting off the circulation to my legs," he joked.

Tifa laughed and slapped him playfully on his shoulder before scooting out of his lap. He stood up and stretched his legs. "Damn, for a second, I thought I was going to lose them, yo."

"Get out of here," she laughed, giving him a little kick from the couch. Reno bent down and kissed her before heading off to the restroom.

As he was making his way back to the living room, he stopped short in the hallway and listened. He thought he had heard voices as he came out of the bathroom, but wasn't sure until he got closer. Reno crept slowly to the end of the hallway, and peered around the corner. The living room was fairly dim, except for the glow of the television, but he could still make out those trademark blonde spikes atop the head of the man standing in the doorway. "Cloud...what is he doing here?" he thought. He stayed still and listened in on their conversation.

"...Reno will be back any second," Tifa said hurriedly, trying to push Cloud out the door.

"Tifa, I need you," he said in a raspy voice. "I can't take this anymore. Things have gone to hell and I need you back, please... come back to me." His voice broke.

"Cloud, you need to leave. Now. If Reno sees you here, there's no telling what he'll do. Please, Cloud, you must go," she stated, trying again to usher him out the door. Cloud murmured something to her, but the only thing Reno heard was "...Tifa, that baby is mine."

Reno retreated back into the hallway and leaned against the wall for support. He couldn't believe what he heard. He wouldn't. He slid down to the floor, shaking his head back and forth, refusing to let the comment stick in his head. An idea popped into his head just then, and he stood up, quietly sneaking upstairs and into the bedroom. Out of a bedside table, Reno pulled out a gun. It felt heavy in his hands. He had never been a gunman. He always preferred his EMR to guns, unlike Elena, but he carried one with him for those tricky assignments.

He stood there in the bedroom, looking at the gun in his hand, as the curtain blew softly in the breeze. The light from the table lamp cast an orange glow over him, and he could only chuckle as he imagined himself in hell. He felt like his heart had been ripped from his chest.

Reno sat down on the edge of the bed, remembering the night they spent at that old, run-down church.

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After work, Reno headed over to Seventh Heaven to immerse himself in liquor in a pathetic attempt to drown out the thoughts of her. He had received word that Kirei, his sister, was found dead in an alley from an apparent overdose. His sister was his life, she was what pushed him into joining the Turks in the first place. She was his constant source of support and guidance until they drifted apart.

When they were growing up, their father would get drunk and beat them, once nearly killing Kirei and wounding Reno pretty badly. Their mother didn't do anything to stop him; instead, she shot herself up with a cocktail of various drugs and would zone out everything. When their father stumbled out into the night, Reno struggled to stand up, half of his face bloody and already beginning to bruise. He limped over to Kirei, as she laid on the dirty floor. Her sticky panties were wadded up in a corner, and he could smell a sick scent of sweat and semen. His stomach turned. Reno carefully sat her up, and she cracked her left eye open. The right one was already swelling shut. Her blue eye gazed tearfully at his face.

"Oh, Reno, what did he do to you?" she muttered between bruised lips. She touched his bruises gingerly, but he never flinched. The anger in his eyes glistened.

"I'll fucking kill him," he told her solemnly. "I promise, Kirei. He will never touch you again after tonight. Do you understand me?" He grabbed her by her shirt collar as he said this, and she winced at the pain caused by her injuries. "I'll fucking kill him."

"Reno, don't bother. I'm leaving this shit... tonight. I found someone who'll take care of me. I promise. So don't worry about me. Save yourself. Go join the Turks. It's the only way you'll get away from here." She stood up and made her way unsteadily towards the door. "I'll keep in touch with you. Please promise me you'll get into the Turks. I don't want to see you hurt anymore." She opened the door and looked back at him.

The moonlight streamed in through the open door, casting its soft light around her. She looked like an angel. Though his eyes remained unchanged, the corners of his lips curled up into a smirk and he promised that he would join the Turks. He limped to the door and hugged her. Kirei hugged him back and kissed her little brother's forehead before walking out into the night.

Later that night, Reno lie in wait as his father stumbled into the house, smelling of liquor and perspiration. He collapsed on the couch, his breath labored. As his father laid there, Reno crept up behind him with a metal rod and with a sickening sound, the metal met its target. Fueled by his rage, he continued to beat his father's head, long after his screams died down. After a few minutes of constant pounding, Reno stopped. His chest was heaving, as tears fell from his face, unnoticed. Reno knew his mother was upstairs, passed out, and he didn't care. He was covered in blood, yet he calmly went upstairs to shower and change. He headed over to the ShinRa ElectricPower Company the next morning.

Over the years, he and his sister stayed in contact, writing to each about various events that filled their lives. She told him she was so proud of him for becoming a Turk, and that she wanted to see him soon, but would refuse to tell him where she was staying. He eventually discovered that she was caught in the same cycle his mother was: whoring herself out to perverts just to be able to support her drug habit. After a few years, he realized they were stuck in a violent cycle: she would get beaten so badly that she was an inch away from dying and he would bring her back to his place to nurse her back to health. During her recuperation, he'd manage to control her withdrawal symptoms and she would convince him that she was done with all of it. Reno would then try to make her to stay with him, sometimes by force, but she always left. After a few days, she would leave him and it would start over again. He loved her so much, and wanted to help her, but she always took him for granted. She couldn't see that she was a better person when she stayed with him, much like Tifa's volatile relationship with Cloud.

Tifa had laid a hand on his shoulder, and he looked up at her, his eyelids heavy. She told him it was time for him to head home, and for once, he got up without an argument. His eyes had lingered on her face for a second longer than they should have, and in that moment, he noticed how beautiful she was. He always thought she was good-looking, but... it was different that night.

He left then, bumping into someone on his way out, and not bothering to look up. Storm clouds threatened to release the rain they were holding, as he wandered around the streets. He came upon the Ancient's church, and looked up. Something compelled him to go inside, and he did, noticing the peaceful atmosphere immediately. Reno turned on a flashlight he had with him and walked up the aisle a little ways before sitting down on a pew. He closed his eyes and dreamed of Kirei, finally knowing peace. He was out of that cycle for good, and he wouldn't let anybody else drag him into another one.

Reno didn't know how long he had sat there, but he felt someone behind him and his eyes flew open. He tensed immediately inside, yet his exterior was calm and collected. He heard his name being called, and he turned around, surprised to see Tifa sitting there on the last row. She was soaked and her hair was stuck to her face.

"You look like hell," he told her.

"Go to hell," Tifa shot back. He stood up and walked towards her, turning on his flashlight to get a better look at her. As he approached, he could see her bare feet were muddy, and she was only wearing a t-shirt. Her eyes had bags underneath and her eyes were red from crying. He sat down beside her hesitantly, unsure of what to do. Tifa made no attempt to shun his show of compassion, and so he sat there and listened to her pour out her heart to him. This woman, once his enemy, had captivated him with her presence.

Reno listened to everything, as she began to speak slowly, haltingly, before relaxing a bit. Then her words started to flow together, weaving a mirror image of his situation with his now dead sister. He could feel her pain as she spoke to him, and he felt an urge to comfort her. He took his jacket off and placed it delicately on her shoulders, and she nodded her thanks before picking up her story again.

They sat like that for hours, telling each other their situations, and noticing how similar they were in many ways. It was a shame that they had to be enemies. "Maybe we don't have to be," Reno thought to himself, and he knew that for the first time in his life, he was in love.

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Reno made his way downstairs to the living room. Cloud was still there, refusing to leave, his shouts growing louder by the second. He had grabbed Tifa by the wrists, attempting to drag her out of the house, and she cried out that he was hurting her. Reno lost his temper and aimed his gun at Cloud.

"Let her go, Cloud," Reno said coldly, as he aimed the gun at Cloud's head. Cloud pushed Tifa away, and drew his sword, but Reno anticipated this and attempted to move out of the way. He wasn't fast enough, however, and he felt his stomach grow hot and sticky. He glanced down and noticed a deep gash on the side of his waist, from ribs to hips.

"Reno!" Tifa screamed at him, as she ran to his side. Cloud walked up to Reno and glared down at him.

"I'm not going to let you ruin my life, Reno," Cloud said. Tifa kicked Cloud in the side, sending him flying backwards into the wall. She turned her attention back to Reno and began to assess the damage.

Cloud laid there, still as possible, peeking through his dark eyelashes at what was going on. He saw Tifa bent over Reno, trying to dress his wounds, as Reno closed his eyes and turned his head away, his hand caressing her tear-streaked face. Cloud sat up and snuck up behind Tifa, thinking "If I can't have her..." before plunging his sword into her back.

Tifa let out a surprised gasp, and slumped over Reno. Reno's head jerked back towards the commotion, and he saw Tifa slumped over him. She wasn't breathing. He stood up quickly, not paying any attention to the pain searing his ribs. Reno didn't remember what exactly happened next. It was a whirl of cold steel and warm limbs, but he did feel the reverberation as a bullet shot out of the gun. It impacted Cloud in his chest and he fell backwards, gasping for air.

"Tifa!" Reno cried out, as he crawled over to her lifeless body. He started to feel woozy and knew that death was steadily closing in. He managed to hug her body to his and laced his fingers through hers before he passed out, finally succumbing to the inevitable.