Redheaded Stranger

Chapter 6
More Observations

Squall shook his head when Reno answered his door, wrapped in a towel and dripping with water. Reno smiled as usual and offered Squall inside, but he stood his ground.

"We'll be leaving for Esthar soon. I suggest you get some clothes on."

"Sure thing, Squall. You just caught me getting out of the shower. Sorry."

"Whatever, just get ready. Come to my office when you're done," he said and left without another word.

"Tough bastard," Reno muttered as he shut the door. He finished drying off and dressed in his Turk attire, now that it was clean. His suit was like a second skin to him and he opted to wear it today. It was the only thing besides his weapon that he had from home and he was surprised how much he missed it. He left the room as he strapped his EMR to his wrist. Squall had seemed agitated, so he wanted to get to his office in short order. Getting on Squall's good side was a mission he intended to complete.

"Hey, Reno," Zell said, catching up to him. "Ready to go?"

"Yeah. You coming too?"

"I'm flying you there actually."

"Ohhhhh, so you're a pilot. Something else we have in common. I'm liking you more and more, Zell." Zell smiled, if somewhat nervously and Reno chuckled softly in amusement. Zell was definitely going to be a handful of fun.

Squall was ready to go when they got to his office, with Rinoa in tow. Quistis was coming as well. 'The more, the merrier,' Reno thought and smiled inwardly. It gave him more opportunity to get to know them all. From what Selphie had told him, he knew about Rinoa's powers as a sorceress. He had jokingly asked her if she would ever go power crazy like Ultimecia and Selphie had laughed. She had assured him that would never happen. There were good sorceress', as well as bad.

Quistis, well, she had a way about her that made Reno think she was a wild one in bed. Maybe it was the whip she carried around as a weapon. He watched her as they made their way to the airship. She was a sexy woman, no doubt. He caught her looking at Squall and Rinoa a few times with what Reno would call jealousy. 'Oh my, someone else wants the Commander.' She hid it well, but not well enough for Reno not to pick up on it. Maybe her desire was something he could use to his advantage.

Reno joined Zell in the control room once they were aboard the Ragnarok. He wanted to learn how to fly the airship and he wanted some more time with the tattooed blonde. As expected, Reno caught on quick and even took over flying at one point.

"Hell yeah, I like this. I appreciate you teaching me, Zell. I'll have to teach you something in return."

"That's not necessary, Reno."

"Oh no, I insist. Maybe I'll teach you a few moves you don't know when we get a chance to spar."

"Cool. I could always use some more moves." Reno secretly smiled, knowing full well he meant to teach Zell something more than just a few kicks and punches. He just hoped Zell would be up for it when the time came, so to speak.

XXXXX

"Reno," Squall said, getting the redheads attention outside Laguna's office.

"Yeah," he replied, walking over at Squall's beckon.

"President Loire is my father, so try to behave yourself."

"Come on, Squall. I can be a good boy." He smacked Squall on the shoulder and winked.

"I doubt that, but try anyway." Reno refrained from smiling, but his eyes twinkled with mischief. 'This guy is impossible,' Squall thought, walking to the office door with Reno and the others in tow. Laguna looked up when they entered and smiled in greeting. Reno knew he was going to have a hard time behaving himself now that he got an eyeful of Squall's father. He wasn't usually into older men, but damn, this one was hot!

"Did you have a good trip here?" Laguna asked.

"Fine. Is Dr. Odine going to be here soon?" Squall asked.

"I informed him as soon as I was told the Ragnarok entered Esthar airspace. I'm sure he'll be here any minute." Laguna looked at Reno and put his hand out to shake. "You must be Reno."

"Right you are," Reno said, shaking his hand. "I can see where your son gets his good looks," he said with a slight curve of his lips.

"Reno!" Squall gave him a warning look.

"Uhh.., thanks," Laguna said, pulling his hand back. He gave Squall a questioning look and cleared his throat. Squall shook his head slightly as if to say, 'just ignore him.' "Well, have a seat everyone. We shouldn't be waiting too long. Meeting Reno has been the only thing Odine has been able to talk about."

"I'm cool with that, but talking is all I'm gonna let him do."

"Don't worry, Reno. He's been told." Laguna said.

"Good." The door burst open as Reno spoke. Odine rushed into the office with great enthusiasm.

"Iz zis him?" he said walking toward the seated redhead.

"Odine, knock! You keep forgetting," Laguna sighed.

"Back off, egghead!" Reno scowled, shooting up from his seat. Odine froze, then took a quick step back.

"Let's calm down," Squall said, stepping over next to Reno, who was holding his EMR in a tight grip.

"I will, as soon as Mr. Bouncy here backs...the...fuck...off!"

"Odine, sit down!" Laguna ordered, pointing to the couch that was furthest away from Reno. Odine backed up and sat as he was told, never taking his eyes from the redhead.

"Zis iz him?! Very violent, yes." he remarked. Reno took a step toward him, but Squall grabbed his arm and shook his head in warning.

"Sit, Reno. Let him ask his questions and we can go."

"Hmph... whatever you say, Squall." Reno relaxed and sat back down, glaring at the scientist. Everyone else relaxed as well, having tensed up as soon as Reno had snapped.

"Tell me how you came to be here," Odine said, looking at Reno with renewed interest. Reno went through his story, hoping it would be the last time, because he was really getting tired of repeating it. Odine asked him several questions, some that he flat out refused to answer. The scientist seemed frustrated by this, but Reno couldn't care less and he got some satisfaction from the eggheads aggravation.

"Vell, zat iz all I can think of to ask," Odine said, standing up with a tired grunt. Vould you reconsider an examination?" he asked hopefully.

"Fuck, no!"

"You are a very crude man."

"Odine, just get your men ready for the trip to Balamb," Laguna said, rubbing his temples.

"Yes, President Loire." He left and Reno chuckled after the door closed.

"Creepy lab rat," he muttered.

"You really have a dislike for scientist," Quistis said, smiling slightly.

"Yeah. I knew one by the name of Hojo. Now that guy was a freak. I won't go into in, but he did some messed up shit."

"Well, if you all want, you can stay here in Esthar for the night and leave tomorrow morning," Laguna said, changing the subject. "It'll give Odine and his men some time to prepare for departure." Squall nodded to Laguna in agreement. "Some rooms have already been prepared for you all. Just get your card keys from my secretary when you leave. Squall, could I talk to you?"

"I'll wait for you, Squall," Rinoa said and was the last to step out.

"What is it?"

"Reno,....he's a bit..."

"Flirtatious," Squall finished. Laguna nodded and laughed softly. "I think he's the redheaded version of Irvine, but one hundred times worse."

"He seems to be dangerous as well," Laguna added.

"It's probably his job. From what he says about the Turks, he would have to be. SeeD's aren't much different I suppose."

"He looked like he wanted to kill Odine." Squall nodded, but seemed unconcerned.

"Odine will stay healthy, if he stays away from Reno. So, I wouldn't worry, dad."

"If you say so, Squall. I'm just worried Odine won't stay away."

"We'll just have to make sure he does," Squall said and left the office.

XXXXX

Quistis was a little surprised to see Reno when she answered the door. She hadn't really spoken to him much since he arrived at Garden, not that she hadn't wanted to. The opportunity just hadn't presented itself. She knew his type, cock sure and smug. She'd observed him enough to see that. Yet, he was attractive and a bit intriguing to her.

"Can I help you, Reno?"

"Yeah, I was bored and thought about checking the city out, but I don't know my way around. Would you mind going with me?" he asked nonchalantly.

"Why me?"

"Why not?" he answered, cracking a smile.

"Alright. I have nothing better to do anyway."

"Good. I'm ready if you are." Quistis checked her pockets to make sure she had her card key before steeping out of the room and closing the door behind her. They didn't say much as they left the Palace, both observing each other secretly.

"So, what do you want to see?" Quistis asked, finally breaking the silence as they walked away from the Palace.

"Is there anywhere we can get a drink?"

"I thought you wanted to go sightseeing?" Quistis said, giving him an amused glance as they walked.

"I do, but it can't hurt to get a drink. Come on, Quistis. Like you said, there isn't anything better to do."

"I did say that," she admitted. "There's a place not far from here." Just as she said, it wasn't far and within minutes they were sitting at a table, ordering their drinks.

"This place reminds me of 7th Heaven," Reno commented, looking around the bar.

"What's that?"

"A bar where I'm from."

"Oh. Tell me, Reno. Are you missing home yet?"

"Of course, but I'm having a hell of a time here, babe."

"Babe?" she said, giving him a slight frown. Reno didn't seem to be deterred by her reaction. He smiled and laughed softly in amusement. "I'm not Selphie, Reno. Your flirting won't make me blush."

"I didn't think it would," he said, resting his elbows on the table, clasping his fingers together and placing his chin on his hands to look at her. "Maybe if I were Squall, it would work..., hmmmmm?" he said with a knowing smile.

"I don't know what you're talking about," she said, looking like a kid that was caught with her hand in the cookie jar.

"Don't try to play it off. I saw you looking at Squall before we left Balamb."

"You don't know me, Reno," she said angrily.

"No, but I do know what a look of desire is." Reno took a swallow of his whiskey, watching different emotions cross her beautiful features.

"Squall is......Rinoa's. I've made my peace with that."

"But you still want him, don't you?" She took a sip of her drink instead of answering, looking at him over the rim of the glass. "I can't say that I blame you. I'd like to thoroughly fuck him myself." Reno smirked, licking a drop of whiskey from his lips. Quistis wasn't easily shocked and she raised an eyebrow, smiling ever so slightly.

"Hmmm, I got that vibe from you," she said.

"Then you're as observant as I am."

"Guess I am," she said, licking her own lips, absently stirring the ice in her glass with a fingertip. "You'll never get to Squall. You're just not his type, Reno. Irvine's maybe, but not Squall's."

"Never say never...., babe," Reno grinned. Quistis shook her head, smiling despite herself.

"You're not the type that gives up easily, are you?" she asked.

"You're good," Reno drawled out. "Reading me is easy for you, I see. What else can you tell me about myself?" he asked, leaning back in his chair.

"Hmmmm...let's see. You're confident, cocky, smug....do I really need to go on?" Reno's smile slowly faded as she spoke, but the humor in his eyes remained.

"I'm impressed. Please continue."

"I can tell by the way you talk about your fellow Turks and your boss that you're loyal. That you would do anything for them. I know you hate scientists." He laughed and she couldn't help but join in.

"You already knew about the scientists, so that one doesn't count."

"True, I just find it amusing."

"Is that all, or can you tell me anything else?"

"You're very attractive and you use it to your advantage."

"How do I use it to my advantage?"

"Right now, you're trying to charm your way into my pants."

"Is it working?" He took a sip of his drink, waiting for her answer.

"Maybe, but I think I may need a little more time with you to be sure. Let's get to that sightseeing, Reno." she said, getting up from the table. He got up to join her, smoothly following her out the door.

XXXXX

Esthar was a monster of a city and even though Reno spent at least three hours with Quistis, they hadn't seen everything. On they way back to the Palace, Reno stopped in his tracks when they were passing an adult store.

"Be right back, babe," he said with a grin and went inside. He stuck his head back out the door. "You want to come with?"

"No, Reno. Go play, I'll wait," she said rolling her eyes, but couldn't hide her smile. She didn't have to wait long. In just a few minutes he came back out and they moved on. "That was quick."

"Got what I needed," he said, patting his jacket pocket.

"I'm not even going to ask."

"Got something against adult stores?"

"No, I've been in a few."

"Ohhhh..kinky. I like." She gave him a little smile, but didn't respond to his taunt. By the time they got back to the Palace, it was getting dark.

"Did you see enough of the city, Reno?" she asked when they approached the door to her room.

"Fuck the city. I'd like to see more of you," he said, backing her against the door.

"I bet you would," she said in a husky tone that instantly turned him on. When she kissed him, he thought he had won, but he was soon disappointed. She broke the hot kiss and pushed him back. "But, I'm not that easy of a lay, Reno. You'll have to try a little harder next time." She slid her card key through the reader, that she had snaked out of her pocket while kissing him. She opened the door with a teasing smile.

"Oh, babe. You're cold," he said, as she slowly shut the door.

"Goodbye, Reno," she said before the door closed, leaving him there staring after her.

"She wants to play," he said with a smirk. He headed to his own room, thinking he would have to jerk off to relieve the pressure she created. 'Maybe Zell wants to spar,' he thought, opening his door. 'Might as well put this lube to use.' He took the bottle out of his pocket with a smile. "Fuck it," he muttered, changing his mind. He didn't have the energy to try to seduce Zell at the moment.

He put the lube in the side table drawer next to the bed and started to take his jacket off, when he heard a noise coming from the bathroom. He instantly swung his EMR into his hand and stepped toward the closed bathroom door. Concentrating so hard on the noise in the bathroom, Reno was too slow to stop the attack from behind. The sharp stinging pain in the back of his neck alerted him too late of the danger. He spun to see a nervous looking man in a lab coat with a tranquilizer gun in his hand.

"Fucker!" Reno hissed, raising his EMR. He took a few steps, stumbling to the floor. He faintly heard the guy squeak in fright and the bathroom door opening behind him as he was losing consciousness.

"We must make haste. Zis could have been prevented if he had agreed to ze examination." Reno heard the familiar annoying voice of Odine before he blacked out completely.