DISCLAIMER: (since not posted before) I do not own this world or any Characters other than new ones I make up.

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Reno rounded the dumpster to find a pile of garbage on the other side. "Psh.. it was just my imagination…" he turned to leave, but heard a cough. Intrigued once more, he began to pull the trash off, and found a girl.

She was bloody and cut up all over, barely breathing. "Oh My…." He knelt down and picked her up… for once not caring about dirtying his suit. Knowing the clinics around here would just accuse him of hurting her, he hurried her back to his house and put her in his bed… He supposed he could just sleep on the floor.

Reno, who had never really been the "Nice" type.. and had never nursed someone back to helath, went of soldier instincts and First Aid training, trying to clean her up as best as possible… However... she was a girl, which limited the things he felt comfortable with in caring for her. He was also severely lacking in supplies.

He knew who he had to call… but he dreaded it. He went to the bar, got some whiskey, and took a big swig of it before swallowing his pride/fear and calling Cloud on his cell.

"What!" Cloud asked, aggravated.

"I.. Uh… I found this girl.. and uh.. I don't.."

"You're sick, you know that?"

"No No! That's not it.. I just.. I need you to bring medical supplies… lots of them… and Tifa… I need you to bring Tifa… And maybe a change of clothes… " Reno spilled out the story of finding the girl, and Cloud's attitude changed.

"We'll be right there… but if this is a trick, so help me…"

"It's not… just hurry.." Reno said.

Cloud hung up, as did Reno, who immediately collapsed on the floor, shaking his head.

cough Cough "Hello? Where am I?" cough cough. A weak voice came from the Bedroom and Reno made his way there.

He sat beside the bed. "I'm Reno… you.. I found you in the Alley… my fr… some people I know are coming to help." He said.

"Reno…" she whispered, barely audible, and then passed out. Reno could still hear her labored breathing, though, and breathed a sigh of relief.

Cloud walked into the room as if he lived there, and Tifa was right behind. He set a large box down and Tifa set to helping the girl right away. Cloud grabbed a couple Materia and started using healing spells.

"She was awake... for a minute… she asked where she was… and then she passed out again." Reno told them.

Tifa and Cloud just nodded and continued to heal the girl.

"Okay boys, time for you to go." Tifa said.

"Oh… You have to.. Right…" Reno left, and Cloud followed behind.

"So you have a heart, now?" Cloud asked, arms crossed as he leaned against the wall.

"So what if I do?" Reno snapped. "Just because I worked for Shinra doesn't mean I don't care about people!"

"Yeah, it does." Cloud said.

Reno gritted his teeth. "I'm not like that anymore… anyway…"

"Sure…" Cloud said sarcastically.

Reno reached for his weapon.. "You!... You…!"

Cloud had his blade at Reno's throat in less than a second. "Don't even try"

Reno took a step back. "Eh… whatever" he put his weapon away and sat at the table.

"Your bike sucks." Cloud said.

Reno just grumbled "Your bike sucks" he imitated.

Tifa came out of the room. "Now, Now boys… play nice" she teased. She approached Reno. "I changed her clothes, and you shouldn't have to worry about them getting in the way to help her because it's shorts and a tank top. I left more clothes in case she heals faster than expected… but I doubt it. We'll stop by every now and then to make sure she's okay. Just make sure she takes the vitamins I left and she drinks lots of water."

She turned to the door and Cloud went with her. As she reached for the doorknob, Cloud did as well, and their hands touched. They were still for a moment, then Tifa pulled back her hand and Cloud opened the door. A Few seconds later, Reno heard the Bike start up, and they were gone.

A bit more relieved, Reno walked back into the room. His trash can was full of bloody gauze, and Tifa had thrown the girl's clothes and his old sheets in the trash as well. Tifa had even put the girl under the covers, to keep her warm in the cool night. A bottle of pills and a big glass of water sat on a stand next to his bed, along with the large amounts of jewelry that apparently belonged to the girl (Reno hadn't noticed it before).

Reno sat beside her on the bed. Tifa had cleaned her wounds, but the girl was still dirty, filthy in fact. He got up once more and went to the bathroom, where he retrieved a wash basin of warm perfumed water (the perfume left by his last girlfriend) and a soft washcloth.

Reno again sat beside the bed. He washed the girl's hair as best he could, and her face.. he had to change the water often, but finally had washed all he felt comfortable with washing. He retrieved his brush and brushed her hair as gently as possible. (Seeing as he had long hair in the back, he knew how best to do it.)

She woke as he did this. "Reno… right?" This time her voice was a bit more audible.

"Yeah… My friends helped me… Tifa changed you… Not me" he added quickly.

"I feel better... a little" She said, smiling.

"Well, you can stay here as long as you want… I'll help you out." Reno said, continuing to brush her hair.

"My name is… Merina." She said, reaching her hand up to touch his.

Reno was surprised by how soft her hand was… He couldn't think for a moment. "Merina?" he said finally. "I… like that name."

Merina closed her eyes. "How is it... that you are so gentle?" she asked, referring to her hair.

"Oh that… well.." Reno Pulled his ponytail over his shoulder to show her.

"Wow… it's longer than mine.." She smiled.

Reno had finished brushing her hair, and lay the brush on the bedside stand.

"Do you.. have something to eat?" She asked.

"I… uh… yeah… let me see." Reno got up and went to the kitchen. "Shit.. now what… I can't cook… dammit…" He started going through his cupboards. When he opened one of the top ones, all of his pots and pans fell on top of him, making a huge noise.

"Shit! Dammit!" He grumbled, kicking a pot only to hurt his toe and wind up hopping around the kitchen on one foot. This, in turn, caused him to jump onto a pot handle and lose his balance, and he fell backwards on top of all the pots and pans. "Wha… Aaaahhh!" He yelled as he fell. Again the clatter of pots and pans. He was dazed for a moment, then returned to his feet.

"Oh yes, the egg rolls!" he said, making his way to the Fridge. He had a leftover tray of egg rolls, one of Rude's signature dishes, on the top shelf. He took them out and popped them into the microwave for a few seconds, then grabbed some soy sauce and took the tray into the bedroom.

Merina giggled.

"I.. uh… My Rude Friend theses made…" Reno said, handing her the tray as she burst into a giggle fit. "I Mean.. uh.. my friend Rude made these.. they're good.." he smiled, embarrassed he had made such a fool of himself.

Merina smiled and started eating an Egg Roll. "mmm, Very good.." She said. She ate three, and then set the tray aside. "I'm so tired…"

"Yes… well… if you need anything, I'll be on the couch in the living room, so just call, okay?" Reno said, moving to get up.

"Oh… don't.. don't leave me alone…" Merina suddenly got a scared look on her face.

"I'll just be in the next room…" Reno said.

"Just.. please… just… lay with me until I fall asleep…?" She looked up at him, obviously scared to be alone after everything that had happened.

"I.. Uh…" Reno broke into a nervous sweat, and bit his bottom lip, unsure of what to do.

"Just lay her a little while… please?" She asked again.

"O.. Okay.." he lay on the bed on his back, hands resting on his stomach, staring at the ceiling. A few seconds later, he felt Merina's head on his shoulder and arm over his body.

"You… saved my life… Thank you… thank you for not leaving me alone…" and then she was asleep.

Reno, afraid to move, lay motionless until he finally fell asleep, clothes and all…

So? What do you think? Please R&R! Suggestions are always welcome.