A/N- hints of naughtiness, but nothing explicit ;-p

Chapter Eight

The night before the wedding, Elena came to Reno's house. It was nearly three o'clock in the morning, but Reno was still up, watching TV and feeling glum. For the first couple of weeks after Elena and Tseng had gotten engaged, he'd really thought that he was over her. It was beautiful, while it lasted. He went out every day for a week, meeting a new woman every night, rolling into work when he wanted because Tseng was feeling super mellow, and anyway, he was letting Elena go to dress fittings and the like. Why shouldn't Reno, the man who had gotten them engaged in the first place, bend the rules a bit too?

And then one morning he'd woken up to a flash of blonde hair, and he'd smiled.

'Elena,' he said, happily, reaching out for the warm figure behind him.

'Elena?!'

Oh, crap.

The woman, who Reno could now see was really, definitely not Elena, sat up, glaring mightily at him.

'Who the heck is Elena?' she demanded, flexing hands that possessed extraordinarily long nails.

Reno's eyes widened. Shit! 'Um, que?' he tried, going for the 'Me no speakee Englee' card. The woman clearly wasn't buying it, not if the fist that connected with his head was anything to go by.

When he regained consciousness, he saw that the woman was gone, along with his wallet. He rolled his eyes and sat up, a woozy, sick feeling washing over him. He staggered into the bathroom, and nearly cried when he saw that she'd also stolen his favorite shampoo, the one that contained a tiny bit of chocobo urine, but left his hair super silky soft!

When he'd showered, he slumped on his couch with a bottle of whiskey feeling depressed. It was funny, he'd never truly believed he was in love Elena. He knew that she was beautiful, and sweet, and kind and that she had a really nice ass. He also knew that she was forbidden fruit, which was probably why he'd tried to seduce her with such enthusiasm and creativity, but had he ever actually believed they would get together? Honestly, he hadn't really. And deep down he'd known that he didn't really mind. So why did he now feel like jumping out of a window? Was he really, truly (gulp) in love?

xoxoxoxoxox

Reno took great pains to ignore both Tseng and Elena in the last week before the wedding, which was pretty hard to do, considering they all worked together. Rude took pity on him though, and managed to convince Rufus to ask for Reno's help as a bodyguard whilst he went on a diplomatic trip to Wutai, so Reno got a blissful three days away from the hell that was the Shinra building. Of course, being in Wutai with Rufus was not much better- the young president was so excited to be in the care of someone other than Tseng that he decided to hit the mini bar. Of course, it was the first time Rufus had ever drunk anything, and so he got very plastered very quickly. Reno had popped to the toilet for less than a minute, and come back to find that Rufus had disappeared. He found him, three hours later, lying on the ground in front of a pagoda, being yelled at in Wutain by a very short, rather elderly prostitute. Reno decided not to ask why Rufus was wearing a dress, and instead just paid the woman the five hundred gil she claimed to be owed then carried Rufus back to the hotel. The president wasn't exactly sure why he woke up in the bath the next morning, but he decided he didn't want to know. He nodded at Reno, trying to look dignified.

'Thank you for your discretion, Reno,' he said, not quite meeting the redhead's eyes.

Reno smiled. 'Of course, sir.'

On the other side of the world, Rude's PHS buzzed. New Text Received- Reno. Rude opened the message, a smile spreading its way across his face. Oh, Rufus. Though... Huh. Whoulda thought the President would look so good in a kimono?

xoxoxoxoxox

Reno was glad to get back to Midgar. After making sure Rufus got back okay, he went straight to his apartment, wanting just to veg out, then go to bed. A quick look at his calendar sent him spiralling back down. Tomorrow was marked out in huge letters- Worst Day Of My Life.

Ugh, the wedding... Rufus' exploits had done well to keep his mind off things, but tomorrow at twelve...

Reno switched his TV onto Hallmark. 'Gongaga Girls,' was on. He sat back to watch the ridiculously sappy show about the renegade daughter of the Shinra family who's forced to move back to Midgar so her daughter can go to a good school. He knew that his life had reached a new low when Lulu Shinra telling her daughter Tory that she would always be her best friend made him tear up. In disgust, he was switching the TV off when there was a soft knock at the door.

He looked at the clock. Three am... He grabbed his mag-rod, then went to the door. Charging the weapon, he yanked the door open.

'Owwww!' screamed Elena, as she was hit with a couple thousand volts.

'Lena! Shit! Sorry!' Frantically he turned the weapon off. 'Are you okay?'

She nodded, a bit shakily, trying to smooth down her hair, which was standing totally on end. 'Y,yeah.'

Reno suddenly realised that it was three am in the morning, on the night before Elena's wedding, and yet she was on his doorstep, dressed as an angel, and only wearing one shoe.

'Lena, what are you doing here?'

'Can I come in?'

He nodded. 'Of course.'

When they were sitting on his couch, he asked 'Elena? Are you okay?'

She nodded. 'Yeah,' she said softly, before promptly bursting into tears.

'Aw, Lena...' Awkwardly, Reno hugged her. 'What's the matter?'

'Reno... Rude told me,' she sobbed.

Reno stiffened. 'T,told you what?'

'About... about...' she began to cry harder.

'Elena...' Reno shifted nervously. Aw, crap... 'Lena, I...'

'I don't want him to be bald!' she wailed.

Reno sagged in relief. 'Oh, right...'

Elena pulled away from him a bit. 'I don't want a bald husband,' she mewled, pathetically.

Reno smiled a bit. 'Yeah, but, it shows he loves you, right? That he would do that for you.'

She nodded, wiping her eyes. 'I know, but... I love his hair.' She began to cry again.

Hesitantly, Reno asked 'Lena? Are you sure this is about his hair?'

'Oh...' She sniffed, smiling weakly. 'No. I guess it's not.'

He waited patiently for her. She sighed. 'I'm... a bit scared,' she admitted. 'I mean... marriage... It's a big step.'

Reno sighed. 'Elena,' he said. 'I've never seen two people more in love than you and Tseng.'

She gazed up at him. 'Really?'

He nodded, miserably. 'Really. I think...' he swallowed hard. 'I think you're perfect for each other.'

Elena wrapped her arms around him. 'Thank you, Reno,' she said softly. She pulled away, kissed him on the cheek. 'You know,' she said, looking surprised. 'I think you're my best friend, Reno. Isn't that odd? I mean, we seem to argue the whole time, but I don't think there's anyone I trust more than you.'

They smiled at each other. Elena yawned, then giggled. 'Sorry.'

He grinned. 'No problem. Hey, you wanna stay here? There's clean sheets on my bed.'

She rolled her eyes. 'Reno...'

He stuck his tongue out at her. 'I've got a futon.'

'Oh. Okay.' She smiled at him. 'Thank you.'

He gave her a hug, then she went to his room. He pulled out the futon, and was about to strip and go to sleep when he realised he should probably wear something in bed if Elena was just next door.

He knocked softly. 'Lena?' There was no reply, so he went in.

Elena was asleep already, her angel wings discarded, her mouth slightly open. He grinned at her, thinking how sweet she looked when she was asleep. Innocent, and rather vulnerable.

Reno suddenly realised something. He did love Elena, and he probably always would. But he loved her like a sister- a really hot, eminently do-able sister, sure, but family all the same. He wanted her to be happy and if the only way she could be happy was to be with Tseng... well. Then Reno would just have to deal with that.

And if they ever get divorced... He grinned wickedly at her, then went back out to the couch, forgetting entirely that he had gone to get some clothes to sleep in. In fact, when Elena came out of his room the following morning, she took a minute to gawp at him, slumped on the couch, totally nude. She whistled to herself.

Man, if it doesn't work out with Tseng...

xoxoxoxoxox

At the reception, whilst Elena was in the toilets sorting her make-up, Reno, Rude, Rufus and Tseng gathered in the corridor of the hotel, gazing at Tseng's head.

'It doesn't look too bad,' tried Rude.

Tseng raised a hand to his face, touching his now bare brow bone. 'Uh huh,' he said, sounding in shock.

Hiding a smirk, Reno offered 'It'll grow back. Hey, maybe it'll grow back, like, curly or something!'

Three sets of eyes glared dangerously at him. Reno shrugged, grinning devilishly, then headed back into the hall to take advantage of the free bar, Rufus at his heels.

Tseng was about to follow, when Rude said 'Hey, I've got you a present.'

Tseng looked surprised as Rude handed him a rectangular parcel. 'Thank you, Rude.' He unwrapped it, then opened the small box. When he saw what was inside, his eyes widened. 'Erm, I, god, I...' He sounded like he was about to choke.

Rude smiled innocently, as Tseng stared at the lube as though it was a bomb. He was still stuttering and sputtering. Rude thought he heard something about 'Never knew you had these feelings,' and 'I'm married now.' He grinned.

'Tseng. It's for your head.'

The Wutain relaxed visibly. 'Oh, thank god.' And then he passed out cold.

Rude stared at him for a moment, still smiling a bit. He nudged their boss with his foot. Tseng made a little noise. Rude contemplated trying to wake him, but then two women came out of the hall, looking scandalised.

'...Just inappropriate,' one of them was saying. The other nodded.

'I know. For a start, it's a wedding. And, well. The leader of the free world, starting a conga...'

This I have to see, thought Rude, a smile spreading across his face. Tseng forgotten, he headed back into the hall.

xoxoxoxoxox

Grinning, Elena found Reno in the middle of the dance floor, one of the many people following Rufus in a rousing chorus of the Macarena. She beckoned for him to come with her, pulling him into a little pantry.

'Reno, I just wanted to thank you for last night,' she told him.

'Hey, it's no problem. And hey, Tseng looks pretty dashing, right?'

Elena grinned, then frowned. 'Where is Tseng, I wonder...' She shrugged, face clearing. 'Anyway, I was talking to my sister earlier and... well. She's very keen to meet you.' She winked at him.

Reno blushed. 'Really...' He suddenly winced. Elena's sister... must have been her made of honor, right? And the chick he'd seen earlier was... well. Hideous. 'I, um, well,' he started to say.

Elena leaned out the door. 'Hey, Ros. In here.'

Oh man...

The door opened fully revealing... a total, absolute babe!!!! Reno stared at the vision before him, in shock. 'You're... Elena's sister?'

The six foot blonde with legs like stilts and, ahem, impressive assets nodded. 'Mm hm. And you're Reno...'

He was about to say something when she grabbed him and kissed him, pressing him to the wall, one hand already on his zipper. As they broke for air, Reno tipped his face to the sky, well dingy ceiling, a goofy grin on his face.

'Thank you god!'

xoxoxoxoxox

Later, everyone gathered round as the happy couple cut the cake. The photographers, Rufus' gift, were circling the crowd, making sure to capture every expression, every smile and every tear as husband and wife started their life together. Elena and Tseng linked hands on the knife, kissing briefly before they sliced through, wishing for a future of health and happiness, not just for them, but for the friends and family that were with them on this wonderful day.

X

Snapshot one- Reno and Ros standing near Tseng as the cake is cut. Ros has a very obvious hickey on her neck. Just visible is a red lacy thong poking out Reno's back pocket.

X

Snapshot two- Elena and Tseng, moments after Elena found the lube in his jacket. There is an expression of alarm on Tseng's face, but Elena appears to be winking...

X

Snapshot three- The four Turks and Rufus, in the flower garden behind Midgar Hall. Reno has his arm around Elena, and is sticking his tongue out; Elena has her head on Reno's shoulder, and is laughing at something Tseng just said; Tseng is holding Elena's hand, and scratching his slightly sunburnt head; Rude is expressionless as ever, though he looks somewhat tense; beside him is Rufus, eyes closed, apparently mid sentence, clearly hammered. Out of shot: Rufus' hand resting on Rude's ass.

X

A/N- so there it is! The ending! A wee bit fluffy, but hey! Lol, I have written an alternate ending to this, that I'll post later today. Hehe, it's just a little thing for the renoXelena obsessed out there. Which is probably just, well, me. oh well, lol. Anyway, please review! Much love and hugs if you do XD (btw, 'Gongaga Girls' is a nod to the oh so cheesy Gilmore Girls- my sister is obsessed with it, meaning I have somehow seen every single episode, even though it makes me want to jump off the top floor of a sky scraper. Grr lol)