Part Two

Reno was finding it hard to concentrate, even more so than usual. He already had a splitting headache that just wouldn't leave and it was p*ssing him off. While before, he would just pass it off as just another hangover, he couldn't help but think back to earlier that morning.. That sickly sweet taste of the Mako on his lips and the tingling sensation it caused. Reno could feel the headache growing worse and the pain was becoming unbearable.

"Reno! Pay attention!"

Tseng's voice cut through Reno's thoughts like a knife, causing the red-head to look up. He glanced around to see everyone was staring back at him.

"Did you even hear what I just SAID?"

Reno looked over at Heidegger who had been the one who had spoken. Reno remained silent. He did not like Heidegger. The tall burly man who always gave them orders and always told them what they could and couldn't do. Heidegger harrumphed before he began speaking again.

"It's important that you understand that the threat of Avalanche has grown stronger. Now that we no longer have the Ancient in our possession."

"A minor setback that we can fix." Dr. Hojo replied.

Reno looked over at the doctor, a new irritation washing over him. He could still feel the twinge in his neck from where he had been stuck by one of those needles. Reno stiffened as Dr. Hojo as locked eyes with him.

"I have a plan that will prove useful."

"Care to explain this plan, Doctor?" Heidegger asked.

"Oh, in due time," Replied the Doctor. Though he was talking to Heidegger, Dr. Hojo's gaze hadn't moved from Reno. "Much research is still needed to be done."

It was only after he had finished talking when he finally turned away from the young Turk. Reno continued to stare at the doctor, a sense of unease washing over him again. Tseng had started speaking again but Reno didn't really hear what he was saying, he was took overwhelmed by the unease he felt when the doctor had looked at him. Thankfully, the meeting had gone on without anymore interruptions. Reno stood from his seat and was about to leave the room when he felt someone grab his arm.

"I have some words I need to speak with you about."

Reno stiffened as he heard the doctor's voice from behind him. He spun to look at him, his turquoise eyes wide as he stared at Dr. Hojo in shock.

"I can see it in your eyes.. The glow of Mako is in your eyes."

Reno stared at him, opening and closing his mouth in surprise as he didn't know how to react. Dr. Hojo reached into a hidden pocket in his lab coat and pulled out a glass vial. Reno stared at it, noticing it was filled with a glittery green liquid.

"I had given you a small sample of the Mako, I admit," Dr. Hojo confessed with a smile. "But, I had been curious about what the reaction would be."

"WHAT?!" Reno's voice ringing out in the room.

He had somewhat hoped the others would hear, but soon realized with growing annoyance that the conference room had been made sound-proof to ensure the meetings could go on without disrupting the other staff members in the building. In Reno's mind at the moment, it seemed like an extremely stupid idea.

"I can tell now that you crave it."

"Yeah, no thanks to YOU!" Reno snapped back.

Reno felt like he wanted to break something. It was all because of this nutcase that Reno realized why he had the feeling of unease. All he could think of was the Mako from the ruptured pipe.. And he wanted it.. More than anything, he could feel the need to have that burning numb feeling the Mako had given him. Reno gritted his teeth as he turned away from him. He couldn't stand it as the feeling was growing stronger. In the corner of his eye, he could see the glint of the vial Dr. Hojo was holding.

"I know the actions I had done is questionable," Dr. Hojo started. "But believe me, this will be for a good cause.."

Ignoring all of his sense of judgment, Reno snapped his head to look at him and snatched the vial from the doctor's grasp. He popped the lid from the vial and sniffed it. It had the very familiar smell of overly sweet apples. Reno brought it to his lips and licked the top. He was hit by the burning numbness that washed over him once again. Reno closed his eyes as he felt the burning numbness spread through him and the nearly unbearable pain fading away. In one quick motion, he lifted the vial of Mako and downed it in one gulp. Almost instantly Reno was hit by an explosion of burning numbness that began to spread throughout his body. However, the feeling didn't last as it slowly started to return again. As Reno opened his eyes and turned to look at the doctor, the doctor could see the Turk's turquoise eyes beginning to glow a bit brighter.

"Come with me.."

Without another word, Reno began to follow Dr. Hojo down to the secret lab below the building.

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Reno managed to make it back to his apartment closing and locking the door. He let out a sigh as he made his way over to the nearby dresser. Reaching into his suit jacket, he removed four to five vials of the Mako and set them on the dresser. He looked at the vials the doctor had given to him. Reno was taking a big risk but he could care less. He went over to the nearby bedside table and reached into the drawer, pulling out a metal flask he kept in case of "emergencies". Reno lightly shook it and smiled at hearing the sloshes of left over Brandy within. He made his way back over to the dresser and uncapped one of the vials. Very carefully, he poured the contents of the Mako into the flask before placing the cap back on and shook the flash a bit roughly to ensure the contents were thoroughly mixed together. After carefully putting the remaining vials in the dresser drawer, Reno placed the flask in his suit pocket and made his way out the door for a night on the town.

Author Note: This took a bit longer than I had wanted it to and I do apologize if the characters are still not in character.. I will try to do a better job next time..