Disclaimer : I do not own FFVII, Crisis Core, Advent Children, or any of the characters that you recognise. As much as I love these guys, they belong to those other guys.

Chapter 5 : Well Ain't that Typical

By the time they made it into the village, Tifa was shivering violently. The wind had picked up and the temperature had dropped, making her very aware just how wet her clothing was. She hoped that it wouldn't take her long to get back to the hotel on a snowmobile and she was already dreaming of a hot bath when she had gotten back and warmed up a bit. She cast a sideways glance at her companion. Maybe tomorrow she would come back down here and take him out to lunch as a thank you for helping her. She knew she would have gotten out from under the tree eventually but it would have take a lot longer and been a lot more uncomfortable to wriggle free herself. Hugging herself, she followed him as he led her towards the hire shop.

The village wasn't much to look at. A handful of cabins in varying sizes, most of them with signs hanging above the door to advertise what they sold or did. She could make out the general store, a bar, and what looked to be a doctors surgery, although it was the most run down of the buildings she could see. There were a few more dotted about, but she couldn't make them out from where she was. The came to a stop outside a cabin that was more like a small hut with metal railing outside. Her heart sank when she heard him curse.

"Damn. Looks like you're outta luck. Not a single one left." Reno frowned at the empty racks outside the hire shop. He turned to face Tifa and could practically hear her teeth chattering. He grumbled under his breath as he weighed up his options. He couldn't very well leave her now, not after helping her so far. And he did have a spare room at his cabin. But how the hell did he get round this without her noticing who he was? He scratched his chin through his scarf and chewed his bottom lip.

"S-so, what do you suggest I do now?" Tifa rubbed her arms in an attempted to warm herself up. Reno couldn't help but sigh as he looked at her. This was probably the most vulnerable he'd ever seen her. They both knew she needed his help right now, and he cursed quietly as she stared at him with those big expectant eyes.

"Well, not much choice. The wind is really pickin' up out here so I guess I can't leave ya out here to freeze." Reno scratched the back of his head.
"I have a spare room ya can use for the night. It's not much but it's warm and dry-"

"Oh, thank you!" Tifa cut him off as she suddenly threw her arms around him in a grateful hug. Reno flailed his arms slightly to stop himself from crashing over into the snow as she caught him off guard. She quickly straightened herself up and blushed furiously, surprised at her own forwardness. "Sorry. I'm just so cold and I was dreading having to make the journey home tonight." She explained, her eyes sparkling as she smiled. Reno couldn't help but smile back even as he cursed himself. He shrugged nonchalantly.

"No big deal. Just don't go tryin' to take advantage of me." He couldn't help but smirk as he turned and headed in the direction of his home. Tifa laughed in return, although she stopped just as suddenly.

"I've just realised, you haven't even told me your name." She trotted up beside him and leaned forward to look at his face. Reno but his bottom lip again. He'd managed to avoid this up until now.

"Just call me R."

"R, huh? Couldn't afford the full name?" Tifa teased, bumping his hip with hers playfully. The cold was easier to ignore when she knew she'd be warm sooner rather than later.

"R will do fine. Don't want ya writing my name in little love hearts in yer diary when ya get home. I know it'll be hard to get me out of yer head, what with me being such a generous saviour and all." Reno couldn't help himself. A bit of flirting on her part and he found himself craving more of her banter. Tifa was actually pretty fun when she wasn't trying to kill him.

"Hmph, modest aren't we? First you think I'm gonna take advantage of you, then you think I'm gonna be practicing how to write my name with your surname. Don't worry, I think I can hold myself back."

"Well thank goodness for that. Didn't want to think I was lettin' a bunny boiler into my house." He drawled as they came up upon his cabin. It was humble little abode, cosy enough but basic. She noticed it was a reasonably short distance from the village and up the hill slightly, but close enough that it was convenient for supplies. Looking around, Tifa couldn't help but admit it was actually in a beautiful location. Behind them, the small village was barely visible dipped into what she could see was a small valley. Behind the cabin, the mountain range stretched out into the horizon, dotted sporadically with tall fir trees which were currently covered in fine, powdery snow. It almost looked like a Christmas card.

Unzipping one of the many pockets on his jacket, he fished out his keys and slid them into the lock, opening the door. He kicked the excess snow off his boots and stepped into the small entrance hall. He felt Tifa squeeze in behind him after clearing off her boots, and he suddenly became aware of how small his entrance hall was. Tifa was practically pressed right up against him as she twisted to close the door behind them, shutting out the cold. Pushing down an old familiar feeling just below his stomach, he knelt to undo his boots and felt Tifa do the same behind him.

Brilliant. She's in your house now. What now, idiot? You don't want her to find out it's you and yet you're getting all turned on because she's pressed up against you. God Reno, it's been far too long since you've been laid. Reno mentally kicked himself as he pulled his boots off. Not bothering to remove the rest of his clothing, he pushed open the door into the small living room and kitchen area. Thinking fast, he strode over to the spare bedroom which thankfully had a small en suite. Maybe if he was lucky, she'd simply shower and go to bed and he could deal with this problem in the morning.

Pulling out spare blankets and a few towels, he laid them in the bed before stopping in the doorway back to the living room. Tifa had shed her jacket, hat, scarf and waterproof trousers, and Reno found himself staring. She was wearing a pair of skinny jeans and a dark coloured long-sleeved polo neck sweater that clung tightly to her curves. Such a plain outfit, but on someone with a body like Tifa Lockhart, it was enough to send Reno's blood racing. He groaned quietly. Any other woman looking like that in his house, and he'd already have the drinks poured and the fire roaring whilst doing his best to charm her into bed. Not that he'd struggle. Reno knew fine well that he had plenty of charisma that set him in good stead with the ladies. But this particular lady could kick his ass.

Averting his eyes and stepping out of the room, Reno gestured to the spare room.

"Bedsheets and towels in there. I figured you'd probably want a shower. Remember don't turn it up too hot too quick, ya gotta thaw out a bit first or ya might go into shock. And don't worry, I know you'll probably be exhausted and wanna sleep right away. I won't hold it against ya." Reno's words tumbled out quickly as he suggested that sleep was the better option here. But Tifa just stood where she was and stared at him with those impossibly big eyes as a warm smile spread across her lips.

"Thank you so much. But… Could I trouble you for a drink of water? Maybe some food? I know you've already done enough for me, but I headed out early today and I haven't eaten since breakfast." Tifa shuffled her feet slightly, embarrassed to ask anything more of him. Reno mentally slapped himself a couple more times. This was not going to go well.

"Uh, sure. There's water in the fridge, probably not much though. And there's some stuff in there you can make a sandwich with. I ain't got much to choose from though, bachelor life and all that." Reno scratched the back of his head. Now that he was indoors, his hat and scarf were really starting to itch. Tifa smiled at him again and made her way into the kitchen, the sway in her hips more obvious now that they weren't padded up with snow gear. Reno groaned and ran his hand down his face as he watched her bend at the waist as she opened the fridge and searched for food.

Good god, this is gonna fuckin' suck.

AN: Uh oh Reno, she's in your house now! How much longer can you keep your identity a secret? Probably not much longer :3

I changed the bit about the Internet. One of my awesome reviewers pointed out that so close after Meteorfall, chances are communications would still be at a minimum. So I hope the new edit works just as well :)

Thank you thank you thank yooouuu to my new followers Shiranai Atsune and The Moss Stomper. I hope you guys enjoy this new chapter!

Coming next time, the big reveal! Mwahaha!