Tengoko: Told you I'd update quickly. All right...so this chapter does have a lemon. Like in my other stories, I've marked it off, so if you don't want to read it you don't have to. But, I do suggest that you read the end as it is very, very crucial to the plot. So, please review. It is especially important for this chapter. I always get nervous when I write the lemons. Well, enjoy.
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Rated M for language and romance
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Chapter 18: Click
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She didn't wait for his response. Quickly, as though afraid he'd push her away, she tightened her grip around him and pressed her face against his chest. She could hear his heart beat clearly; fast and loud. She looked back up at him, his eyes trained on hers, his mouth partially open as he absorbed the enormity of her words.

Elena brought a small hand to his cheek. "Aren't you going to say something?" she asked, her heart pounding faster and faster. To her horror, Reno shook his head. That's it. He was rejecting her. She shouldn't have said anything. She looked away from him, tears clouding her vision, and was prepared to go hide herself under the covers.

But then, Reno took her hand, held it securely against his face, and then turned to plant a soft, gently kiss on her palm. His other hand caught her chin and pulled her back towards him. Tenderly, his fingertips glided down her neck before sliding behind to pull her closer. "Reno?" she sobbed softly.

"You talk too much," was all he said, before he leaned down to smoothly, yet firmly, kiss her. He heard her whimper as he deepened the kiss, sliding his tongue passed her parted lips. Suddenly, the kiss, which had begun so beautifully and innocently, turned fiercely fervent. It was almost as if he was desperate to taste her, to get his fill and more.

Finally, he abandoned her mouth and was sliding her jacket off. The moment her shoulder was exposed to him, his hot lips were on her skin. Elena moaned once she felt his tongue on the nape of her neck. Her arms wrapped around him selfishly, telling him in her own special way that she wanted more.

She felt his hand on the small of her back, pulling her even closer. Her eyes widened when she felt his desire pressing against her. Oh Gods, this was really happening. They were going to make love, finally, after everything that had gone on between them. With that thought, Elena grabbed Reno's face between her hands and brought his lips back towards hers, greedily invading his mouth with her own tongue.

(The Lemon Starts Here)
Next thing Reno knew, she was unbuttoning his shirt. Both his jacket and his shirt crumpled to the floor, and he shuddered when her cold hands came to rest on his chest. At that moment, something came over Reno. An almost animalistic force. Before he realized what he was doing, he'd lifted Elena off of the ground and carried her towards the bed.

He was straddling her now, hovering over her as though contemplating his next move. Elena, never having much patience, began teasing him by drawing a slow, seductive path with her fingers over his chest, over his abs, lower, and lower. Her hand slid into his pants and she heard him gasp, and then groan when she pulled back.

"That's not very nice," he said, leaning over and kissing her neck.

"I guess you'll just have to teach me a lesson," she teased, her hands rubbing his strong shoulders. "And I'm so ready to learn, Reno."

Reno chuckled at that, before bulling her shirt over her head. "I'm so ready to teach you," he smiled, staring down at her breasts. He gently cupped one of them in his hand as he kissed her again.

Elena was delirious with pleasure. Never could she have imagined she could feel this way with anybody. Sure, she'd imagined what it'd be like to be in this situation with Reno. But, she coudln't have imagined it'd feel this great. She hadn't even known it was possible. Inside, feelings that she was new to were filling her senses. It was as if somebody had set a fire within, and without realizing it, she was bucking her hips up to meet his.

Reno broke the kiss and slid his hand over her stomach, just as she'd done to him. But, he had no intention of teasing her. His hands kept going, lower and lower, unzipping her pants. With both hands, he removed the rest of her clothing. Elena blushed, realizing quite abruptly that she was now naked.

Reno must have sensed her apprehension, for he chuckled and then kissed her cheek. "You're beautiful," he whispered, nipping at her earlobe. "And perfect."

She smiled appreciatively before saying, "I thought that in order for this to work, both of us had to be naked."

"I thought I was the teacher," he joked, watching as her small hands reached for his pants. He helped her take them off, but as he was about to straddle her again, she suddenly flipped him over, taking him by surprise. "Laney…"

"Shh," she whispered. "This is what I like to call, independent study." And then, she lowered herself onto his erection. They both moaned as he filled her. And then it really hit her. He was inside of her. He was letting her make love to him. Oh Gods.

She was slow. Taking the time to savor every inch of him, memorizing the way he felt as she moved up and down on him. He didn't seem to mind the pace of things. In fact, he seemed to enjoy it just was much as she was, if his moans were any indication.

"Faster," he pleaded.

Elena smiled, knowing now that she was in full control. She liked the way that felt. "What was that?" she asked, her voice sly as she slowed down even more, as if to torture him. Reno groaned. He knew what she wanted. For him to beg. Any other time, he wouldn't have given in.

"Please, Laney." He moaned.

"Please…what?"

"Ah, fuck it," he groaned, grabbing her by the waist and rolling her over.

"What…?" she exclaimed. But, it was too late to regain control. He'd hooked his hand under her knee and was now driving into her, thrusting wildly. Oh Gods. This was nice too. Better than what she'd been doing. She screamed his name as he slammed, harder and harder, faster and faster.

"Reno!" she cried out. It started at her toes, and seemed to race all throughout her body. He'd hit that spot, that one spot sure to drive a woman crazy. And it did. It wasn't just her scream that let him know, but the way her whole body was reacting. He hit it again, and again, bringing her to a spectacular climax.

He groaned as he felt her orgasm around him, and that in turn caused him to go over the edge, spilling his warmth inside of her. He collapsed on top of her, completely drained but incredibly pleased.

Elena held him against her, her body still trembling from what they'd just done. She felt as if she'd never stop smiling. Never did she want to move. She liked the way they were just now. Lovers, holding one another, oblivious to the world around them. She felt him kissing her neck again, but sighed once he pulled out of her.

(All right, if you skipped the lemon, you can read from here)

"Reno?" She sat up a bit when he rolled off of her and began searching for his clothes.

"Damn, babe. You've worn me out," he chuckled.

"Are you leaving?" she asked, pulling a sheet to cover her nakedness.

Reno rolled his eyes and approached her, pulling the sheet down and kissing her affectionately. "I have to, Laney. Somebody's got to stop Justus."

"Let me go with you," she said. "And don't you dare tell me no, Reno. I'm a Turk too, in case you've forgotten. It'll be just like any other mission."

"No…Laney. It won't." He bent over and picked his shirt up. "And no, you can't come with me."

"Well, too damn bad, Reno."

"I don't want to fight you on this," he said. "Tseng doesn't want you to go either. This is one mission you'll have to sit out."

Elena felt herself become very angry. "Damn it! I'm sick of everybody treating me like a child. Just in case you missed it, I held my own back there today."

"You were just lucky," he told her, buttoning up his shirt. "You would have lasted maybe five more minutes before they realized that you had no more bullets left." He leaned over her again and brushed his thumb over her cheek. "They could have killed you today, Laney."

"As you said, Reno. It's always a risk. And I'm a Turk. It's a risk that is necessary."

"I've said all I'm going to say about it," he said, sitting up and pulling his jacket on.

"Well, you can't go alone!" she yelled. "What if something happens to you? Nobody will be there to save your ass."

"Elena, stop!" he finally raised his voice. "Could you at least try to understand why I can't take you with me?"

"I'd get in your way," she answered quietly. "Because one way or another, I always manage to do the wrong thing and muck everything up. Because I'm a nuisance who always needs protection."

"No," he said, shaking his head.

"Then why?" she cried, looking up at him.

He smiled. "Because…I love you…and I don't think I could stand to see you get hurt."

Elena could have cried. He'd said it. Those words that she'd been dying to hear him say. Elated, she jumped from the bed and threw her arms around him. But, her happiness was cut short when she heard a clicking sound and felt cold metal around her wrist. Suddenly, her arm was being pulled back. He was too quick to struggle against. He'd successfully handcuffed her to the bed.

"I can't risk you following me, babe," he said.

Elena was crushed. Is that why he'd told her he loved her? To trick her? She began yanking her hand, but she knew the handcuffs would hold. "Fine," she said, giving into defeat, her eyes darkening with bitterness.

"I did mean it," he said, a little anxiously. "I do love you, Elena."

"Yeah?" she spat. "Well…I don't believe you. So, go to hell, Reno! Straight to hell!"

"Laney…" he stepped closer to her and took her into his arms. "I love you. I love you." He tried to kiss her, but as he got close to her lips, she turned her head to the side. "Elena," he pleaded, his voice growing more nervous. "Please, believe me."

"I thought you had somewhere that you needed to be," she said vehemently. "Far be it from me to stop you."

Reno didn't move for a minute. It was as if he was stuck between the decision to go or stay. But, they both knew that he had to go. He tried to kiss her again, but like before, she turned away. "Oh…well then…" It was the way he sounded more than anything that made Elena look at him. It was a voice she'd never heard from him. As though he were trying not to cry. "…I guess…I'll go now."

He kissed her cheek and then walked to the door. He glanced behind him and smiled weakly at her. "I love you," he said softly. And then he was gone, the door clicking behind him.

Elena immediately jumped to her feet, wanting to run after him. To tell him she was sorry. But she was stuck to the bed. And then the scariest thought struck her. What if he died? What if she never got the chance to apologize for being so unreasonable. Never got to tell him that she believed him? Her heart began racing in panic.

"Reno!" she shouted, hoping he could still hear her. Hoping he'd come back. He never did. Elena feared that he never would again.
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Tengoko: All right, I'm sorry to end it there. I know...my damn cliffies. I'll update as soon as I can. I promise.