By Kristen Gupton-Williams

Author’s Note: Hi there, me again. Just writing to say that I am really sorry about that last chapter…It was a little out of character for me to produce something quite like that. I don’t know what got into me, but it was a distraction from the lab scenes wasn’t it? I did not mean to offend anybody, but it will stay up as is. It’s my story! Sigh…

Reno sat in the chopper, slouched into his seat. Angel was directly to his right and he had her hand in his as she sat answering the questions presented to her by the other team members. She had been doing an impressive job of not letting her feelings show through, but every so often her hand would tighten around his, letting him know that she needed him.

Jaras paid absolutely no heed to the actions or words of the others in the helicopter. He was huddled up in the corner with his sword resting across his knees and a book in his hands. His eyes narrowed behind his readin glasses as he scanned over the lines written within it, attempting to distract himself from the up coming task. The truth was he didn’t have much luck remembering what he was reading, as his mind was distraught over the plight of those he was supposed to go help. Jaras didn’t have the slightest idea what he was in for and deep down he was extremely nervous, but no one watching him would have any idea about his anxiety.

Reno had almost lulled himself to sleep with the constant drone of the chopper’s rotor and gentle rattle of the machine when a sudden jolt caused him to jump. He had sat up and listened not hearing anything else odd and decided to resume his attempt to relax. Then the chopper again was shaken violently.

Reno, growing annoyed with this repeated distraction from his nap rose from his seat and slipped up into the cockpit with the pilot. He picked up the headset sitting in the vacant co-pilot seat and sat down. "What the fuck is going on, Brad?"

The old veteran huffed and waved his hand at the control panel. "Something’s wrong with her, we’re gonna have to set her down now that we’re back over land."

Reno scowled and looked out the window, seeing that they were flying above the beach to the west of Midgar. "We can’t delay the mission!"

"You want to get there or not?" Brad flipped up the visor of his pilot’s helmet and looked Reno in the eye. "I can’t risk smacking her into the ground if this problem gets worse."

"Shit." Reno stood back up and threw the headset down into the seat. Any delay at this point could be fatal for Tifa and Vincent, and he had no idea what Hojo had planned for them. He got back to his place beside Angel and waved to draw everyone’s attention. "Strap in, we’re having an emergency landing."

Everyone could tell by Reno’s tone that he was unusually serious, and they did as ordered. Even Jaras sat down his book, suddenly expressing some concern.

Despite the problems Brad was having with the bird, he managed to set it down as gingerly as ever. Once the helicopter was on the ground and the engines cut, Reno threw open the door and hopped out, spotting Brad emerging from the cockpit door. "What’s the problem?"

Brad looked deep in thought and walked right past Reno. He reached out and let his hand run over the metal of the hull as he strode towards the tail. Reno followed knowing that the old man wouldn’t respond until he was damn good and ready.

Brad stared up at the tail rotor and crossed his arms over his chest. After a few moments he went over and popped open a panel on the underside of the tail section. He reached up inside and frowned. "Aw, Hell."

"What?" Reno went closer.

Brad pulled his hand back out, reveling that the tips of his fingers were covered in some viscous amber fluid. "She’s bleeding out. Hydraulic line to the tail’s busted."

This meant little to Reno and he furrowed his brow. "So how long ‘til we get back in the air?"

"I’ve got everything I need to take care of this, but it’s gonna take several hours." Brad sighed, stepping back.

"We don’t have that kind of time!" Reno threw his arms into the air, feeling supreme aggravation.

"Reno, she’s old." Brad wiped his greasy fingers onto his flight jacket. "She was flying for the military before you were born, and she deserves a little respect. She may be tired, but she’s never let us down and she won’t now, but she’s gonna need a little attention. Give me the time I need and I’ll get you to Midgar."

Reno dropped his gaze to the ground, knowing that his impatience was offending the old man. "Okay, I have a second plan."

"Let’s hear it." Brad looked back up into the tail hatch.

"There’s a small resort town about a half mile from here. Me and the others will go rent a car and drive into town. We’ll get to Midgar by morning, probably about the same time you get flying again. We’ll settle in near the Shin Ra building and wait for nightfall. Once it’s dark, we will carry on the mission as we were going to do tonight." Reno didn’t like the idea of the plan being delayed, but he had no other choice, and this would at least give them a chance to stake out the Shin Ra building.

Brad nodded. "Fine, that’ll give me plenty of time. Call me when you get ready to go in, so I know when to pick you guys off the roof."

Reno knew that he really should run the plan by Angel first since she was in tactics, but he had by now decided to completely take over all aspects of the mission. "Okay, I’ll tell the others and we will be on our way."