Don't Play with Fire (Turks FF7)

24) Nearly Goners

My head's pounding when I wake up, the slightest ring in my ears driving me crazy. I can see the faint outline of someone beside me, feel the comfort of my pillow under my head. As my vision clears, I realize the Reno's handgun is being twirled between his fingers gently, his aquamarine eyes following it's every movement.

"I couldn't do it," he says quietly.

"Do what?" I frown, forcing myself to sit up. Ow.

"I was supposed to kill you." What?! My heart skips a beat, eyes never leaving the disappointed frown on his face, his brows drawn together tightly. "Rufus' orders. Can't have a pregnant Turk and all that @&-$. Bad for the name of the group anyway."

"... Rufus wants me dead?" He sighs and stops flinging the loaded gun around.

"He called me into his office yesterday and told me that he'd been informed of your condition, as he put it, and he wanted you dead. Said he thought I'd be the only one with enough guts to do it."

"What about Rude? I thought he hated me now or something."

"He doesn't hate you, he's mad at me. Doesn't want me to ruin ya and all that. Besides, I know the guy a little too well. He'd knock you out and dump you in the woods somewhere, cares about you too much."

"So you thought you could?"

"Yeah. I know Tseng would've even if you are his niece. That guy's serious about his job. I dunno. I guess I overestimated myself."

"..." He was going to kill me? I knew he was acting weird. "Well you could've done a gentler job of knocking me out."

"Sorry about that," he gives me a weak smile.

"So no more murder attempts, right?"

"Nah, I'm good. Not for you anyway."

"Okay... But you have to make it up to me."

"How?"

"I dunno. I'll think of something."

"You better do it soon, I'm not patient."

"I know," I smile, swinging my legs out of bed and stretching. "What time is it?"

"Six."

"Oh crap..." I can already feel it... .

"What?"

"I'll be right back!"

After scrubbing my teeth and tongue and rinsing my mouth thoroughly twice, I go back to my bedroom, Reno still laying there tiredly.

"Done?" He raises an eyebrow.

"Yup," I nod, rolling back onto my small mattress. How does this not feel cramped?

"Ready to get that Huge Materia out of Junon?"

"Not really."

"Oh cmon, it won't be that bad."

"Is Rufus going to have someone come after you now?"

"... I dunno. Should I care? We'll just kick their @-%-$ and be on our way."

"I'm serious, Reno."

"So am I! Seriously, who's gonna beat us? We're the best two people that ever..." My phone's ringtone cuts him off. I send him an apologetic look and answer without checking the number.

"Hello?"

"Cloud and Tifa just fell into the Lifestream!"

"Um, who is this?"