Disclaimer: Final Fantasy does not belong to me...however much I may like it to. I own no characters, places etc. etc. so please don't sue me! I'm a nice person :)

Author's Note: PLEASE review as I really enjoy reading your views and they inspire me to get better!!! It would make me very very happy! Anyway stop reading this and get on with reading the fic!! Hope you enjoy!! :)

Protection

A gun shot rang out down the corridor; the walls reverberating with a horribly metallic pang.

This mission had been trouble from the start, but then a Turk's work wasn't exactly meant to be easy. Though that didn't change the fact that this one was rapidly becoming very problematic.

It was meant to be a simple job; collecting information from an old military compound that had played host to many an enemy group as 'hideout'.

Although they had been prepared, the Turks hadn't expected to come up against a full branch of security made up of about ten fully trained ninja and a dozen of more thugs who were equipped with more than enough fire power to do some serious damage to even the most skilled fighter.

The shots continued to sound as she stalked further down the corridor towards the old office laboratories; where any important disk files would most likely be contained.

Her fellow Turk's were meant to be holding off the forces whilst she went to gather the information they'd originally come for; Elena being the smallest and most likely to go unnoticed.

As her steps echoed lightly against the cracked, tiled flooring, she noticed two more sets of steps mixing with her own.

Damn it...

She had been followed.

Elena didn't allow them to gain a second of advantage; she just ran. If she stopped and tried to take them on, she could walk into something way above her skill-level; she was good enough, but taking on full fledged ninja, and men about five times her size wasn't exactly easy, especially when this was their playground.

They were gaining on her, she could feel it, but she couldn't mess up this mission, it just wasn't an option; she had to keep going.

Another shot rang out; close, too close.

A sharp squelch, and a small, choked gasp sounded, as her arm was ripped by a bullet.

Hot blood trailed down her shirt, and prickled against her skin, whilst the sharp, tight pain that surrounded the gash began to grow as she carried on regardless.

She had to keep going, she had to get out of sight and gain the advantage; it was the only way to do this.

As she neared the end of the corridor, her wrist was encircled with a set of fingers, and she was quickly steered off into a small nook that was showered in darkness.

"What the-"

A familiar body thrust her own against the cold, hard wall; her wrist being released as a hand came up to cover her mouth.

"Shh."

Reno looked down at her; the close contact allowing her to make out his form within the shadows.

He was panting slightly, but he seemed composed enough as he flashed her a reassuring smile; although it appeared as more of a smirk to Elena.

A small blush crept along her cheeks as she slapped his hand away.

"What are you doing here?"

He must of followed her as well; but why? Had he come to protect her? Or was it that he didn't think she could protect herself.

The foot steps grew louder, and the pair retreated further against the wall; hiding their bodies from view completely.

She could feel the vibrations of his heart as his chest pressed against her own; the beat rapid, but steady. He always remained so calm during battle, so quick, so precise. She envied that.

Dark, crimson blood ran down from his forehead and trickled upon her shirt like rain. He'd been hit as well.

His lips came to rest beside her ear; his warm breath tingling against her skin.

"I didn't feel comfortable leaving you alone."

The dark, softness of his voice was hypnotising, and for the moment she decided not to question his response.

The grouped footsteps halted as they neared the end of the corridor, and the pair held their breath, though after a brief pause the steps progressed; still close enough to be heard, as they made their way through the double doors.

As he allowed himself to relax his attention, the red head's gazed flickered down to the wound upon Elena's arm; her skin now marked with many red trails as the blood continued to flow from the unconstrained tear.

She flinched slightly as he made to take a closer look.

"Relax..."

His hands made their way to his own shirt, as he proceeded to rip a large section of the cloth from the garment, before wrapping it securely around her arm.

"See...all better."

A gentle warmth passed through her, as his fingers brushed light strokes down her shoulder, in a supposed act of comfort.

It worked; her heart beat slowed, and her breath became steady once again, as she regained her composure and her mind began to rebuild its concentration.

He had made her feel safe.

A few more seconds of silence passed, before Reno took her hand in his own; another small smirk playing on his lips.

"Let's go."

* * *

A/N= Just a small little moment...not much comedy here, but hopefully it was still nice to read.