Absolute Error Chapter Five

As daylight crept into the little cell, it fell on the two sleeping figures leaning against the wall. Reno
with his arms around Aeris, her with her head resting on his chest and one arm around his neck. As
the light fell on his face, Reno awoke with a start, scanning his surroundings and groaning as he realised
that he was sitting on a cold, hard prison cell floor, instead of sleeping in his bed in his apartment. He
smiled as he looked at the girl sleeping in his arms. When he had been younger, he had dissed love at
first sight, even dismissing love itself, and his life since then had been a series of one-night stands. Then
he had seen Aeris in the helicopter, and had fallen for her immediately ... As the light crossed her face,
Aeris stirred, opening her eyes and squinting as the light shone in them. "Hi ..." she said, sleepily. He
brushed her hair from her face and grinned at her, "Howz' ya feeling?" She shook her head and smiled at
him, "Like shit. Suppose I'll get used to it though ..." she shivered, hugging in closer to Reno for warmth.
He drew her in closer to his chest, rubbing her arms to warm her up, "If I could help in any way, believe
me I would."

"I know. Don't worry. Like I said, maybe it's better this way ..." At that moment, the cell door slammed
open and Tseng stepped in. "Reno, out. Now. We need you on the ground floor. Immediately." Bewildered,
Reno stood up "Wha-?" Without another word, Tseng dragged him out of the room, and Aeris slumped
back against the wall. "One of these days I'll understand what's going on ... I hope," she sighed, closing
her eyes and waiting for the next improbable event in her suddenly chaotic life.

As the two Turks made their way to the ground floor, Tseng gave Reno their plan of action. "Our spy
told us that Sephiroth and the rest of AVALANCHE are on their way to rescue Aeris. They have since
been spotted climbing up the wreckage of sector seven and are expected to arrive in a matter of minutes.
We need as many soldiers and authorities as possible to help overthrow them. We all know how strong
Sephiroth is ..." Reno was shocked "Sephiroth?! But - we - I - thought he was dead!" The elevator stopped
and the two men entered a room full of heavily armed soldiers. Suddenly, there was a disturbance at the
other end of the room and Tseng muttered two simple words, "He's here ..."

As Sephiroth glared at the gun-wielding Shin-Ra soldiers surrounding him and the other AVALANCHE
members, his one major thought was about Aeris. His attempt to rescue her had failed, he was sure of that,
but he was unsure of what would happen to them all. As he reached down to draw the Masamune blade,
Tseng stepped forward, "I honestly wouldn't bother doing that if you wish for your girlfriend to stay
reasonably unharmed." Sephiroth frowned and moved his hand from the hilt of the Masamune. "I seriously
advise you to just give up now and let us tie you up, nice and quietly." Sephiroth narrowed his eyes, and
frowned deeper, but allowed the soldiers to tie and gag him. Tseng grinned triumphantly, "you'll get to see
her soon", he commented, drawing the Masamune and inspecting the heavy blade, holding it with some
difficulty "you won't be needing this any more ..." Reno stood, feeling redundant and wondering what all
the fuss was about. Sephiroth had been overcome easily, no extra manpower had been needed. It was Aeris,
Reno realised with a start. Sephiroth had, at first, been quite ready for a fight, but when warned that any
action he took may have an adverse effect on Aeris's well-being, he had turned himself in quietly. The tall,
strong man would do absolutely anything for the young Ancient, and Reno felt strangely guilty for
interfering with their relationship. The soldiers dispersed, and Tseng and Reno led Sephiroth to Hojo's lab.
As they entered, the professor looked up, a demented grin on his face "Oh, good!" he sneered "You turned
up. I was starting to worry that you wouldn't." He walked towards them, grin still plastered ear to ear "I'm
sure you want to see her," he treated Sephiroth like a small boy "Your little Cetra friend, or should I say
lover. Just think, she never saw you escape the explosion. She thinks you're dead. It's been causing her quite
a bit on emotional torment, I can tell you!" He turned his back on them and walked away again "Of course
you want to see her. Bring her in." Reno tied Sephiroth to a chair as Tseng left to fetch Aeris from her cell.

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