Tengoko: So, this is the final chapter. Kind of emotional. There is an implied lemon at the end, but nothing too graphic that I needed to mark off. Mostly the chapter sets up one of the coming installments, but not necessarily the next one. I'll say more about the third part of the Storm Series after the chapter's end. Well, I hope you all enjoy the final chapter, and hope that you continue reading stories from the Storm Series. Enjoy.

Disclaimer: ...(long sigh)
Rated M for language and romance

Chapter 20: First

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It was big as houses went. Tifa had fallen in love with it on first glance. Even Reno was taken by it. The large garden in front, complete with stone statues and a goldfish pond that included stepping stones that took you off towards a covered gazebo. The path that was shaded by gorgeous Sakura and lined with marble benches. And then there was the house itself.

Made in a traditional Pagoda style like most of the buildings in Wutai, it was two stories high and was white with burnt red roofing. It was breathtaking, and that was just on the outside. Inside was stunning. Polished hardwood floor, marvelous frescoes that seemed so out of place and yet, so right for the house. And it was so big, as mentioned before.

Even Wesley seemed to think so. And it seemed Tifa and Reno were waiting to hear as much from him. They were all, meaning his parents and realtor, staring down at him, waiting for his opinion.

Wesley looked up at his father first. In his arms he held the newest addition to the Storm family. Alyianna Aurora Storm. She was almost an exact image of Reno. Red hair, not long enough yet to do anything more than clip a small bow, and the mischievous glint in her eyes. But those weren't his. She'd inherited her mother's wine-colored eyes. Wesley then looked over towards his mother, who seemed unable to control her excitement. She wanted the house. So badly wanted to shout that out loud. Wesley could tell. And in the end, that's all that mattered. "Generally, I like it," he said.

"Very good," the realtor said, looking back towards Reno. "This really is a nice house to raise children in. Big, roomy, and the yard is incredible. It'd be anybody's ideal house, really."

"If you don't mind," he started politely, "I'd like to discuss a few things in private with my family, and then I'll let you know what my decision is."

The realtor nodded and ducked out of the room, sliding the door behind her. Reno turned towards Tifa and smiled. "Well?"

"I love it," she said happily. "Please say we're going to take it."

"It does seem a bit pricey," Reno said, making Tifa's shoulders fall. "But, I'm sure we can come to some kind of arrangement. And you like the house, Wes?" Wesley nodded. "And what about you, Aly. Do you like the house." He looked fondly at his daughter, and her response to the question was a very adorable giggle. "I guess that settles it," he said.

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Wesley stood at the window the overlooked Wutai. Behind him, Veronica and Victor were getting ready for bed, something he'd already done a few hours ago. But, he wasn't tired. He rarely ever got tired now. Sleep never came easy now. How could it considering what he's been through? And yet, it was regret or guilt that kept him up all night contemplating. It was the thought of revenge. A thought he knew he shouldn't be nurturing, but couldn't help.

He'd just gotten off the phone with a friend back from Midgar. Lucius had promised to keep an eye and ear out for anything that regarded Professor Manning. He was actively involved in it now too. He'd been fond of Lena Mae, had come to look at her as if she were his own sister. He took the news of her death rather personally, and was quick to inform his best friend that he'd do anything he could to help avenge her.

He'd just bide his time for now. When he was old enough to leave home, he'd return to Midgar and hunt him down. He prayed that Manning was still free by then. He wanted to be the one to find him, to punish him. He killed his sister. Brought pain and suffering to his family. Caused scars on Wesley that would never go away. Now, it was Wes' turn to return everything ten fold.

"Wes?"

He spun around to see Veronica standing a few feet behind him. She looked concerned, deeply concerned for that matter, and I annoyed him to no end. He was tired of people asking him if he was all right. And even as he stared into her burgundy eyes, he knew that it was coming.

"I'm fine, Ron," he said emphatically.

"Just making sure."

"Well, stop making sure," he snapped, turning his attention back to the scenery.

"What happened to you, Wes? You used to tell me everything. And now…"

"Things change, Ron. Now, I just want to be alone. Please, understand that and don't take it personally."

"But I don't understand," she said, moving closer to him. "We've always been close, Wes. I'd hate to lose that. Please, talk to me."

"What would you like me to say?" he asked, his voice low. "There is nothing left of me to offer. I don't have the energy to cultivate friendships at this point. Especially friends who can't identify with what I really am trying to undertake. And trust me, Ron, you and I are on completely different pages at this juncture in our lives. It'd be best that we just remain nothing more than acquaintances."

"Is that what you've told Lucius, and Viggo, and Kris?"

"In truth, I haven't spoken to Viggo or Kris since the episode. And Lucius is and will forevermore be my closest friend. Hell, the only thing stopping us from being brothers is the damned technicality of genes. But, don't even pretend you know me as well as Lucius does."

Veronica looked upset now. She crossed her arms and whipped her long, black hair behind her. "Well, if you're going to hate the world for what happened, there's nothing I can do about that! But there's no reason for you to be an ass-hole about it. Especially not to me."

With that, she stormed away, leaving her little brother to stare in bewilderment at Wesley. He was ignored.

He didn't hate the world. He was just at odds with it. The main reason was because Gordon Manning was still living in it. And while the man was still alive, he'd continue to be at odds with it.

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Tifa plopped down on the couch that she and Reno had just pushed to the center of their new living room. It was very comfortable for which she was very grateful. They'd been moving furniture in all day, and now she was just ready to relax. Damn, it felt good to get off of her feet.

Reno walked around and stared at her comically before taking a seat next to her. "We're almost completely finished," he said. "All that's left is painting, but I'll leave that to you."

"Why's that?"

"Well, tomorrow, I've got a meeting with Godo."

Tifa looked at him quizzically for a moment. "Whatever for?" she asked.

"Tifa, you know as well as I do that I need a job or we won't be living in this house for very long. And Godo's offered to set me up. How could I possibly refuse. After all, working for Godo means that I won't have to pay any gil for this house. It'll all be covered."

"Fine. But if you tell me that Godo's planning on setting you up as some kind of law enforcer or political envoy, I'll kill you right now."

"All right," he shrugged. "Then I just won't tell you." He laughed once she began hitting him, and then he caught her wrists and pinned them down. "Wow," he mused. "This brings back memories, doesn't it?"

"Yeah. It's a shame you don't have any rope," she laughed. "Reno, I have a confession to make."

"What's that?" he asked, kissing her cheek.

"That day, when I had tricked you into kissing me…that's when I first fell in love with you."

Reno remembered that day all too well. He'd tied her to the bed to keep her from escaping so he could deliver her to the President for questioning. And Reno, being a sucker for a pretty face, or for Tifa as the case happened to be, fell for her seductive pleas. Unfortunately, or fortunately now that he thought about it, she'd knocked him unconscious which triggered a series of events that led up to now.

"You almost died that day, if I recall correctly."

"Yes, but you braved the perils of Junon Harbor to come to my rescue. And that only made me more certain that I loved you." She paused, smiled, kissed the tip of his nose, and then asked, "when did you know?"

"Guess," he teased.

"When I fell from the tower?" she asked. He shook his head. "That first kiss?" He shook it again. "Well, I don't know, babe," she admitted. "Tell me."

"I fell for the first time I saw you. It was before the whole Sephiroth charade. I was having drinks with Rude and you were there. And at the time, I knew I couldn't have you. That made me more mad than anything in the world."

"If you loved me then, why did you fight me?"

"Because I was mad at you," he said simply.

"For going against Shin-Ra?" she asked defensively.

"No. For being out of my league." She was about to say something else, but Reno put a finger to her lips and said, "Babe, you talk too much sometimes." He could tell she was about to get angry for that, so he moved his finger and replaced it with his lips. The anger dissipated at once.

Instinctively, she parted her lips and allowed his tongue access to dominate her mouth. He buried his hands in her chocolate colored hair and deepened the kiss, covering her body with his. He broke the kiss to ask, "while we are remembering things from out past, do you remember the first time we made love?"

"No," she said, still smiling. " 'Cause every time is so intoxicating, that it feels like the first time."

Reno chuckled at that and slid his hand behind her back. He kissed her again, and again, and again. Each time different than the time before. And then the night came. Falling upon Wutai, blanketing it in it's beautiful darkness. And then the wind came. Howling against the window, beating relentlessly as though trying to enter, to join in the passion. And Tifa came. Again and again. Each time…like the first.
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Tengoko: Well, what do you think. I rather like the ending. Inspired by Johanna Lindsey. I give credit where credit is due. Anyway, the next part of the Storm Series will be call Transcending Chaos. Two guesses as to who this story's going to be about cough, coughvincentandyuffiecough, cough. It's almost like a prequel to Moving the Unmoveable. Well, it is like a prequel. I hope you all will check it out once it's posted. Thanks to all who've reviewed this story. I'd still love to hear from you. It really does make my day to get them.
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