Tengoko: Wow. Sorry about the wait. Exams are killing me. Anyway, this chapter was hard to write. I have three different versions of it; this one was the best. Well, please read and review. I love getting reviews. And I hope you enjoy.
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Rated M for language and romance
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Chapter 21: Without You
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They'd only been waiting for ten minutes. Reno leaned against the chopper, his lips pursed around his cigarette, his left hand playing with his lighter. Rude stood next to him, pulling his gloves more securely on his hands. He'd put his shirt back on, but left it unbuttoned so as not to irritate his wounds. His jacket remained in the chopper.

Tseng stood closest to the door, leaning against the wall with his arms folded. His eyes were closed. He seemed to be sleeping. In truth, he was forcing himself to quit worrying. Every passing minute had him more and more anxious. Until she was in front of them, he wouldn't feel at ease. He had to know she was okay.

"She's taking too damned long," Reno finally shouted, throwing the cigarette butt to the ground. "Tseng, give her another call. Ask her how much longer."

"Reno, relax," Tseng said, standing up straighter. "She'll be fine. She can take care of herself."

"I'll believe that when I see it," Rude mumbled, getting a nod of agreement from Reno.

It was then that the door opened. Reno and Rude jerked their heads towards the door just as Elena stepped onto the roof. But, something was wrong. She was crying. Reno pushed himself off the chopper and hurried towards her.

"Reno…I'm sorry," she cried.

"What?"

Suddenly, Elena was pushed down, and Justus jumped over her, gun in hand. Reno reached for his own gun, but even he knew it wouldn't be quick enough. He stared as Justus pulled the trigger, but suddenly, he felt his body lurch, and he was thrown to the ground.

"DAMN YOU!" Justus screamed, staring at Rude, who winced when the bullet grazed his arm. "WHY WON'T YOU ALL JUST FUCKING DIE?"

"Elena!" Rude shouted, ignoring him. She was back on her feet, but Havre was holding her against him. The larger man was turned, facing Tseng, his sword to Elena's throat. "Don't worry, Laney! We'll get you out of this."

"Will you?" Havre snarled.

Reno got back up to his feet, his gun now drawn and aimed at Justus. He fired, but Justus dodged the bullet and yanked Elena from Havre, holding her in front of him as though shielding himself. "Lower the gun, Reno. Or I'll put lead in her skull right now." As if to make his words more threatening, he held his gun to her temple and smirked.

"Don't lower the gun," Elena pleaded. "He wants to kill you, Reno. He's afraid of what you'll do to them if I am harmed. Please, just protect yourself. It's too late for me."

"Shut up," Justus yelled, hitting the side of her head with his gun. She cried out and Rude and Reno almost rushed forward, but Justus cocked his gun and held it to her head again. "If you want her to die, then by all means, keep coming."

"Reno…" Elena whimpered, tears drenching her red cheeks.

"Elena, it's not too late," he insisted, lowering his weapon. "I'm not going to let you die."

"You don't have much choice in the matter," Justus said, raising his gun to Reno.

"You haven't learned," Tseng said out of nowhere, suddenly tearing his own pistol out of his jacket and firing. Justus cried out in pain as he reared back and grabbed his hand. Elena fell to the ground, and turned to see that Justus' finger had been shot off. He was howling in pain. She looked behind him to see Havre rushing at her, but before she could move, she felt a pair of hands take her shoulders and yank her.

"Get her in the damned chopper," she heard Tseng yell.

"No," she screamed, tugging herself out of Rude's grip and running towards Reno. She all but flew into his arms, knocking the wind out of him. "Let me stay with you," she begged. "Please, let me stay with you."

"I don't care who the hell she stays with!" Tseng blasted, now shooting at Havre who'd grabbed Justus and taken cover. "Just get her out of here!"

"Come on, babe," Reno whispered, grabbing her hand and rushing passed the hail of gunfire and back into the stairway. He pulled the door closed behind him and urged her to keep going.

She jumped the stairs two at a time and tugged the door open that led into the hallway. It was then that she felt Reno's hands grab around her waist and spin her towards him. Next thing she knew, she was up against the wall, her eyes widened as his lips found hers. His tongue probed her mouth, wildly, passionately.

He broke the kiss and said breathlessly, "you are in so much trouble."

"I couldn't…"

"I don't give a damn, Laney. He could have killed you!" There was a fire behind his eyes. It scared her to see him this angry, but then, she was beginning to get used to it.

"I don't care about that," she admitted softly, taking his cheek into her small hand. "I was just afraid that he was going to kill you. I couldn't bear that, Reno. Life is all fine and good, but I don't think I could face it without you. In fact…I know I can't."

Before her eyes, his turquoise eyes softened, and then his lips were on hers again. A much sweeter kiss. His arms encircled her small frame and after the kiss was over, he grazed his lips across her cheek. She felt him smile but didn't say anything about it. Just reveled in the feel of being in his fond embrace.

"I thought I told you to get out of here!" Tseng's voice boomed, causing the happy moment to come to an end. They turned to see their boss and Rude rush down the stairs and turn the hall, passing them. "That Havre isn't human. I swear," he explained to Reno, who was now following them, pulling Elena along with him.

"What happened? He got away?"

"The man jumped," Rude said, obviously still in disbelief. "Just took Justus and leapt off the building."

"Then he's dead?" Elena asked hopefully.

"Afraid not, Elena," Tseng said. "He's jumping balconies. We have to catch him at the first level. Come, we have to hurry. Reno, Rude…take the stairs. Elena, come with me. We'll take the elevator."

"Sir," they all said. Rude rushed back towards the stairs. Reno squeezed Elena's hand before following him. Tseng grabbed Elena's elbow and yanked her into the elevator.

"Sir?" she asked curiously.

"Damn it, Elena. See what you've done? Do you realize how close they came to killing him? Had Rude not been there, Reno would have been shot, and then he wouldn't have hesitated to kill you afterward."

Elena stared down at the ground. "What was I supposed to have done?" she asked, her own eyes filling with anger.

"You were supposed to have stayed where you were. You were safe there."

"I will not hide!" she screamed. "I am a Turk for crying out loud. Not some damsel in distress. If Justus wants to kill me, that's his prerogative, but I'll be damned if I'm going to become a coward because of it."

"Justus is crazed," Tseng said. "He is determined to kill Reno. I worry that…"

"I won't let him!" Elena screamed, just as the doors opened.

"ELENA!" Tseng called after her. The petite blonde had taken off without warning and all Tseng could do was chase after her. He was knocked off balanced by a somebody passing him, just as Elena disappeared through the revolving doors. "ELENA!" he shouted again.

Outside, the smallest Turk looked skyward. Havre was on the second story balcony, Reno and Rude were on the fifth, going much slower. They finally landed on the ground, and it was then that Elena held out her gun and aimed straight at Havre. The bullet tore through the air with a loud crack, and the large man turned just in time to realize what had happened, but it was too late for him to stop it.

He was dead before he hit the ground. Justus stared at him for a moment in disbelief. Elena aimed her gun at him. "Elena!" she heard. She looked up. A mistake, and she knew it right away. Suddenly, she was on the ground, enduring the most horrible pain. He had tackled her, and now she stared down at the silver of the knife he'd just planted in her heart.

"For you…Elena," he whispered in her ear. He wrenched the knife about, and she cried out. The warm, crimson liquid was soaking into her shirt. One final twist. "Sorry it had to end this way. We could have been beautiful together." He yanked the knife from her chest and then fled.

"Oh Gods!" She wasn't sure how Tseng had gotten there. His hands were over her wound, pressing hard against it. "Elena…Elena?" She stared up into his dark eyes, tears now falling. "Can you hear me? Elena? Say something! Please!"

"It doesn't hurt so bad now," she whispered. His face paled. "Where's…where's Reno?"

Tseng turned around to check. He and Rude had just jumped from the balcony and were running towards them. Reno reached them first, dropping to his knees beside her. Rude wasn't too far behind, and he went around, kneeling by her head.

"Elena!" Reno cried, gathering her into his arms. Tseng's hands remained on her wound. Rude's hand went to her forehead, moving her bangs out of her face.

"Laney…you're going to be all right," he said unconvincingly.

"Yeah," Tseng agreed. "We're going to get you to a hospital. You've had worse injuries before, Elena. You'll pull through this one."

"Reno…I'm…cold," she whispered. "I think…this…"

"No, Elena. You're going to be fine," he insisted. "Believe me, okay."

"I suppose…this is how…I always wanted to go out. Flame and glory."

"Elena, stop," he shouted. "You're not going to die. Not today. Not for a long time. Do you understand me?"

"Reno, don't worry. It's just another adventure." She managed a smile, but then coughed. She tasted the metallic twang right away. Reno wiped the blood from her lips. "Just another adventure."

"No, Elena. Be strong. Just a little while longer. People have already called for help, babe. Just hang on. Please." Then softer, he added, "you're not allowed to go on this adventure alone, Elena. How can we be together if you leave me now?"

"I love you," she smiled.

More tears. "Elena, no, don't do this. Don't leave me. Gods, please. Elena, just hold on. I know it's hard, but try. For me. You told me earlier that if I were to die, you wouldn't be able to live on. Elena, I cannot live without you. You have somehow managed to possess my mind, my heart…even my soul. I cannot imagine a world without you, Laney. So, please, don't you die on me. Just hold on. Please."

"I'll…try…" she said, feeling herself lose consciousness. The last thing she heard was three voices, crying out at the same time, Elena!