Tengoko: I'm sorry that it's taken so long. But, I can explain. Freshmen orientation. I just got back yesterday, and was too tired to even look at a computer. Anyway, updates should be coming the way they used to. I'd like to thank everybody who's been reviewing. I never expected to get this kind of response for this story. I really appreciate it. Well, I've talked enough. I'll let you get on with the story. Please R&R. Enjoy.
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Rated M for language and romance
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Chapter 9: Unexpected

The sun was just beginning to come up by the time they got to Great Glacier. They wasted no time getting their things from the chopper before heading up the icy, mountain path. Elena stopped for a moment to take in the crisp, chilly air. Dear Gods. It had been so long since she'd been here. And everything had changed.

But, she didn't have enough time to reflect on that. Justus hadn't been tempted to stop and smell the roses, so to speak, and Elena soon found herself being left behind by the rookie. "Wait!" she called after him, trying her best to run and not slip all at once.

"Sorry," he said sincerely. "I must be more anxious than I thought."

"Well, get that out of your system now, Justus. This isn't training. This is the real thing. If you screw up, it's not only your ass, but my ass on the line. So, listen to everything I say and if I stop walking, you'd better stop too. Never leave a man behind unless it's absolutely necessary. Got that?"

He nodded. "I understand."

Elena spared him one last glance before stepping in front of him and taking the lead. It was a strange feeling. Being in charge. Usually, she always followed the orders or Rude or Reno, and on occasion, Tseng. It'd never been up to her. And she was beginning to realize and appreciate how hard that must be on Tseng and Reno. It had to be tough knowing that one bad call could get everybody killed. And now, that responsibility was in her hands.

"So, how many are we talking about?" Justus asked after a while, pulling his thick coat around him more snuggly.

"There will be about fifteen to twenty," she answered. "Nothing we can't handle. I've once heard that Reno and Rude took out forty by themselves. Of course, I'm sure they over exaggerated, but I wouldn't put it passed them. The point is, a Turk has got to be better than numbers. The amount is irrelevant."

"And the leader, how will we recognize him?"

"You afraid you're going to kill him before you realize who it is?" She smiled and shook her head. "Don't worry. You'll know him when you see him. Now remember, you aren't to kill him unless you definitely have to. Tseng wants him brought in."

That was the last that they spoke for a long time. The wind began to pick up and the fast falling snow began to obscure their path. Elena tried as long as she possibly could to brave the elements. But even she knew that a storm like this would have to be waited out.

Turning towards Justus, she shouted, "We'll stop here! Help me set up the tent!"

He hadn't heard her. But he could read her lips, and nodded before dropping his bag and pulling the tent out. To say that it took a while for them to put the tent up would be an understatement. Battling the winds, the snow, and each other, it was quite an ordeal. But, they did get it eventually, and were grateful now that they sat within the tarp which shielded them from the bitter frost.

Elena was wrapped in three thick blankets, but she was still shivering. She wished Reno was there. Closing her eyes, she began to imagine him taking her into his arms and holding her against his chest, using his warmth to keep her warm in turn. She heard herself sigh as the vision became more vivid. It felt so real.

And then she realized why. Justus was suddenly holding her against him, wrapping her and him in yet another blanket. She heard his heartbeat with such clarity, that the realness of the situation hit her like a ton of bricks. She tried to bolt to her feet, but she was tangled in the blankets, and it only managed to settle her into his lap. He must have thought that's what she was trying to do, because without warning, his lips were on her neck, leaving warm kisses.

"Justus," she said, putting her hands on his chest to push him away. "You don't want to do this. Not with me. I'm not your type."

"Opposites attract," he smiled, kissing the corner of her mouth. "And I'm so attracted to you."

"Jus-" but that was all she got out. She was silenced by his hungry, voracious kiss. And, tried as hard as she might, there was no way to stop him. What was worse…she liked it and didn't want him to stop. Gods, he kissed like a professional. He kissed just as good as Reno. But…it was different still. Something about it just couldn't compare to Reno's kisses.

"Are you still cold, Laney?" he asked against her cheek. She nodded. "I know a delightful little way of keeping warm."

Elena laughed. "There's no way of missing the meaning there, Justus. That said, I'm going to have to decline right now. This is neither the time, nor the place to have sex. Besides, we barely know each other. What kind of girl do you think I am? Just because I kiss Reno doesn't mean I'm one of his little whores."

"Laney, let's not pretend there is no chemistry between us. And it's not as if we're wasting time. I mean, either we sit here and do nothing, or we can do something…together."

"Justus," she whispered. Gods. He was just too tempting by half.

"It's about loyalty isn't it?" he asked. "To Reno? Now, before you answer, tell me one thing." He moved in closer, his lips grazing against her cheek. "Do you honestly think that in that respect, Reno will be loyal to you?"

That did it. Those last words were what closed the gap between her lips and his. Words that had her hands all over him, trying to feel the warm skin beneath his many layers of clothing. Words that ultimately had her lying under him, taking in his fevered thrusts, crying out his name, but really wanting to call out for somebody else. It wasn't fair. Not to any of them. Not to her for being denied who she really wanted. Not Justus who was just a substitution for that which she truly desired. And not to Reno. To Reno, most of all.

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Later
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They watched in silence. And not just because they didn't want to be heard. In fact, they hadn't spoken a word since they'd made love in the tent. That was mostly her doing. He'd tried to speak, but she'd grunt or clear her throat, indicating that it'd be wiser not to talk to her.

She wasn't mad at him. No. She was mad at herself. She used him, utterly and without excuse. All the pent up amorous emotions that'd been flung at her from both Justus and Reno just exploded in a heat of unintended passion that she was sure to regret for a long time coming. And it was nobody's fault but her own.

Gods. Her hands were beginning to shake. Was it fear? Anxiety? Guilt? Or, more importantly, did she need more ArgusinDSA? It was too late to worry about that now. Any sudden movement could possibly attract attention from they hiding place high above their targets, and she couldn't risk the job for something selfish like that.

"That's him," she whispered to Justus, pointing her finger at a giant of a man emerging from his own tent. He was not the only one to groan. This man was…well, no other way to describe it. He was large. Tall and wide, and had to be one hundred percent solid muscle. It was no wonder he was the leader. Anybody would be foolish to try to oppose him.

"And how, may I ask, are we to bring that bear of a man back to Midgar without somebody getting killed?"

"Shut up," she said instead of answering.

He'd lifted his arms up to silence the sixteen men that'd gathered around him. It was no surprise that it was very effective. Even so, the man said nothing. Just walked back and forth, his eyes never leaving his men.

"What's he doing?" Justus asked.

"Addressing his men, it seems."

"Brothers," he said, his voice deep and bellowing. "The time has come to act. For nearly a month, we've been forced into hiding, forced to live in this wintry hell. Barely enough to eat. On the brink of insanity. And for what? FOR WHAT?" he screamed maniacally. "Rufus Shinra still sits in that cozy little office, overlooking his pathetic pride. Midgar. A city he thinks he's changed for the better. But we all know different, don't we?"

Shouts from his men. Justus looked at Elena and noticed that she'd turned onto her back and was checking her guns. Before Justus did the same, she handed him a grenade and looked at him sternly. "I'm going around to that crevice over there, and then I am going to make my way down. You stay here and wait. I'm going to draw him out of there, and once he's a safe distance, you throw that grenade down there. Got me? Five seconds is all you have after taking the pin out. Count to two and then throw."

"How are you going to lure him away."

She smiled. "Criminal or not, I know that this man operates on a system of ancient honor. All I need to do is challenge him to a private duel and he'll accept. Especially once I tell him that I'm a Turk. He'll take me away from here. Once we're out of sight, kill them all."

"But…then you…"

"I can handle myself, Justus. Remember who the rookie is. Okay?"

Rising to her feet, she crouched low and took off, disappearing behind a rock and into the darkness. Now, all Justus had to do was wait.

"We were driven out of Midgar," the man continued. "His cronies, the Turks, they are no longer going to scare us. We will fight them, and we will kill them. And then, we will kill Rufus Shinra. We'll take back Midgar. We'll take the world, and we'll show the people real prosperity."

"Is that so?"

Justus' eyes widened. How the deuce did she get down there so fast? And she was calm. She stood amidst a bunch of men who'd love nothing more than to tear her apart, and she maintained her poise. Justus couldn't help but admire her.

"How'd you get here?" the man asked, turning around and drawing a long, curved blade.

"Put that away, Havre. I'm not here to fight a bloody battle to the death with you and your men. I have something more diplomatic in mind. In the end, only one of us will have to die, and you'll be assured your men won't be amongst the casualties."

"How's that?" he asked, not dropping his sword.

"A duel," she said, stepping closer. "A private duel between you and I. The stakes are simple. If I win, I get to go home to Midgar and tell my president that I've succeeded in taking out the leader of a rebel organization. He'll be rather pleased, and it could mean a promotion for me."

"And if I win," he raised his thick, black brow. "What will I get?"

"I'd think it's rather straightforward. I'm a Turk. I'm sure you've already guessed as much. Now, if you kill me, just think what that'll do for your cause. Your first enemy casualty and bragging rights. Not everybody can kill a Turk, you know. And I'm sure in doing so, you'll definitely get Rufus Shinra's attention."

"How do I know this isn't a trap?" he asked warily. "I know that you Turks rarely ever travel alone. There were three of you last time you blew up my headquarters. You killed nearly all of my men. I had hundreds staying in that facility. And now, sixteen."

"I assure you, I'm alone. My helicopter went down just over those mountains there. I was the only survivor."

"And not a scratch on you. How is that possible?"

"Dear man. I'm a Turk. We all know that makes me capable of impossible things. But, we really are prolonging this. Are we to duel or not?"

"I don't think-"

"Then consider this: Your men, those hundreds that died in the explosion. I'll bet you'll give anything to avenge their deaths. I know, that's how I'd feel. This is the best opportunity for that, Havre. You see, I'm the one that set the bomb. I'm the one who killed them all. So…are we dueling?"

"You bet your scrawny ass we're dueling," he snarled. "And I'll pick the weapon. Pistols."

"Sounds reasonable. And they'll be no need for a second, Havre. I don't have one, so it'd only be fair to deny you one as well. However, if you wish to bring along your servant to check the weapons, you're welcome to."

"No, you'll check mine. I'll check yours. Now, come with me."

Elena nodded and stepped aside, letting him walk passed her before following him up a steep path. Two minutes passed, they'd climbed towards the peak. And then, the explosion. Havre reeled about so quickly that he'd nearly lost his balance, but he'd caught himself. His eyes widened as the bright yellow rose above the rocks, telling him that his base, along with his men, had just gone up in flames.

Elena smiled smugly. Her plan had worked. She'd finally been brilliant all on her own. Reno and Rude will be so proud of her. Her smile got wider. And, unfortunately, she didn't seem to notice that it only made Havre angrier.

"Why you conniving little bitch!" he snarled. She took in a sharp breath, and then couldn't breath after that. His gun, he'd somehow taken it out without her realizing it. And now, it was pointing right at her. Stupidly, she reached for her own. Too late. He pulled the trigger.