Reno doesn't look quiet as pale

Cloud Strife leans on the doorframe.... Watching Reno...

Reno breathes in and out at a regular pace

Cloud Strife says, "Makes me wonder... if I should have just let you sleep... Who knows if you're ever gonna wake up"

Cloud Strife goes and sits on the edge of the bed

Cloud Strife says, "I haven't been able to find Rufus.... Or any of his followers... its almost like they dropped off the face of the earth"

Reno breathes. His features seem to have turned almost their normal color

Cloud Strife says, "I got the ultima weapon... and the Materia I left behind... although Im not sure if it will do any good..."

Reno looks as if he could just lie there, sleeping forever... or wake up at any time

Cloud Strife reaches out and brushes his fingers lovingly along Reno's face

Cloud Strife says, "I had to fall in love with you didn't I? Stupid Turk... I've actually missed you calling me a kid... You're like this because of me..."

Cloud Strife stretches out and puts his head on Reno's chest

Cloud Strife says, "I even miss your smart ass comments..."

Reno seems to wake, his arm moving slowly across Cloud. His arm now drapes across Cloud, holding him

Cloud Strife says, "Reno? "

Cloud Strife is very hopeful he isn't just moving in his sleep...

Reno says, "mmm. Cloud? Is ... that you?"

Reno moves his fingers up along Cloud's back

Cloud Strife says, "Yes! Can you hear me alright?"

Reno says, "has to be you"

Cloud Strife frowns a bit

Reno holds him

Cloud Strife says, "You can't hear me can you?"

Reno just holds him

Cloud Strife puts his arms around Reno and hugs him tightly

Reno says, "miss me?"

Cloud Strife hugs again.... Not sure how else to respond if he cant hear...

Reno brushes his fingers through Cloud's hair

Reno says, "I'm still alive I take it"

Cloud Strife hugs Reno closes.... Very upset that he is not completely well

Reno says, "Cloud ... I can't hear, can I? "

Cloud Strife wonders how to respond

Reno sighs

Cloud Strife taps Reno on the nose

Reno says, "hmmm"

Reno puts his hand to Cloud's face ... feeling it

Reno says, "I can smell your sweet scent Cloud..."

Reno moves his fingers down Cloud's nose

Tifa Lockheart walks in to Reno's room.... She had a habit of checking on him every day while Cloud was gone

Reno runs his fingers along Cloud's ear... tracing every curve of his head it seemed

Tifa Lockheart says, "Hey! Cloud.... You're back...and he's awake?"

Reno keeps his hand to Cloud's face ... his eyes open but not focused at all...

Cloud Strife says, "Hi Tifa... I don't think he can see... or hear"

Reno touches Cloud's lips

Scarlett walks in

Cloud Strife says, "This is all my fault Reno.... You followed me into hell... now you're practically trapped in there..."

Reno says, "hmm, you're saying something right? I can feel your lips moving"

Scarlett looks at Reno and hangs her head

Cloud Strife says, "How do I say yes to someone who can't hear me?"

Scarlett says, "Jungle fever.... Even those who get treated have lasting damage"

Tifa Lockheart sighs

Scarlett sits down and looks at Tifa

Tifa Lockheart sits down as well

Reno raps both arms around Cloud, as if afraid he might be ready to leave

Scarlett says, "We are not sure how it was spread... but we figured it was by insects. It never got to the people caring for those infected"

Cloud Strife says, "I'm not going anywhere Reno... not right now at least"

Reno closes his eyes... though it does not seem to matter weather they were open or not in the first place

Cloud Strife sighs and takes one of Reno's hands.... And places it over his voice box so he can feel that he is talking

Reno smiles weakly

Reno says, "I'm hungry ... how long has it been since I ate?"

Scarlett says, "*whispers to Tifa* how do you think Cloud will do?"

Tifa Lockheart says, "What little they could spoon into him.... He's gotta be hungry *whispers* He's gonna go after Rufus... cuz he's an idiot..."

Scarlett says, "*whispers* he's not that stupid... but rage can consume people...."

Tifa Lockheart says, "*whispers* Cloud is like that...."

Scarlett says, "*whisper* I noticed"

Tifa Lockheart says, "*whisper* He'll go after anyone who has hurt anyone he cares about.... "

Scarlett says, "*Whisper* ... it's amazing he manages to care about someone he fought close to the death before"

Cloud Strife looks at the mush, then waves a spoonful under Reno's nose

Reno sniffs

Reno says, "food ... of some kind"

Cloud Strife says, "this doesn't look all too tasty... but open up"

Reno opens his mouth... not cause Cloud said that... but because he smells the food. Feels Cloud talking

Scarlett looks over at Cloud caring for Reno and sighs

Cloud Strife puts the spoon in Reno's mouth, and waits for a reaction... wondering if it tastes as bad as it looks

Scarlett says, "I'll never have anyone like that"

Reno gets that look 'this tastes awful' on his face, but swallows it any way

Tifa Lockheart says, "Don't talk like that.... There's plenty of people in this world... well... at least now there are... who knows what's gonna happen when Rufus is done..."

Scarlett sighs

Scarlett says, "how could I have loved Rufus... even after the long time of knowing he couldn't feel even lust for me..."

Scarlett shakes her head sadly

Tifa Lockheart says, "Hey.... I loved Cloud for a while like that... but then I realized he just wasn't interested... still love him like a brother"

Scarlett nods

Cloud Strife continues feeding Reno... even though he makes a face after each spoonful

Reno swallows what he is fed

Reno says, "What was that stuff? Damn, how the hell am I gonna find out?"

Scarlett sighs again

Cloud Strife takes Reno's hand and slowly begins tracing letters on his palm

Reno says, "ohh, I feel that"

Cloud Strife spells out DONT ASK and hopes Reno got it

Reno chuckles

Reno says, "Don't ask... that bad I guess...."

Scarlett says, "It's amazing though..."

Scarlett looks at Reno

Tifa Lockheart says, "What is?"

Scarlett says, "He can still joke..."

Tifa Lockheart smiles

Scarlett says, "at least the fever didn't cook away his memories ... his speech.... His sense of humor... but... it did cook away two other things...."

Cloud Strife kisses Reno's hand

Reno smiles. Draws Cloud's hand to his face. Kisses it too

Tifa Lockheart says, "Look at how devoted he is... it's so cute!"

Scarlett says, "yeah, and ... who would have thought Reno... who was such a woman chaser for so long, would end up with a guy?"

Tifa Lockheart says, "Strange things happen.... But its still love isn't it?"

Scarlett says, "yeah..."

Scarlett smiles and sighs

Reno puts his other hand up to Cloud's face... tracing his lips

Cloud Strife smiles so Reno can *see* that he is happy about him being alright

Reno smiles and traces the smile

Reno says, "I hope you don't ever get what I had.... It was awful..."

Cloud Strife says, "Red and I didn't find any trace of Rufus. Scarlett... any ideas on where he could have gone?"

Scarlett shakes her head

Scarlett says, "none at all ... after all, if he's truly insane, right?"

Cloud Strife says, "Yeah"

Scarlett says, "He could have gone any where, and not even know where he was going till he got there"

Cloud Strife picks up Reno's hand again and traces the letters to Stupid Turk on his hand

Reno chuckles

Reno says, "Aww kid"

Cloud Strife hugs Reno tightly... glad to have him back

Reno hugs Cloud to him

Scarlett looks over at Tifa

Tifa Lockheart says, "Well... you checked all the Reactors right? Have you gone up north?"

Reno says, "hey Cloud.... Did I ever tell you I actually love you?"

Cloud Strife smiles

Reno says, "hey, how many others are in the room? I can smell more then just you"

Cloud Strife taps Reno's nose twice

Reno says, "ahh, two right? Who?"

Cloud Strife takes Reno's hand and writes Tifa on it... then waits a moment and Traces the letters to Scarlett's name as well

Reno says, "heh ... of course. Hey Tifa ... hey Scarlett"

Scarlett smiles a little

Tifa Lockheart says, "We'll he's still with it"

Scarlett says, "so it seems. It's good the fever didn't cook his mind"

Tifa Lockheart says, "Yeah... *lowers her voice* or Cloud would be much worse..."

Scarlett says, "it could have turned him into a vegetable"

Reno runs his fingers over Cloud's nose again

Cloud Strife says, "I'm gonna take care of him.... Because it's partially my fault he's like this"

Scarlett says, "It was the jungle"

Cloud Strife says, "but first... there are loose ends to tie up. I took him there Scarlett...."

Scarlett says, "...."

Scarlett sighs

Reno holds Cloud to him

Reno says, "hey Cloud...."

Cloud Strife says, "Hmm?"

Reno says, "if you're gonna go get killed ... can you take me with you?"

Cloud Strife taps Reno on the nose twice

Reno says, "um, is that yes or no?"

Cloud Strife writes NO on his hand....

Reno says, "oh... as I thought. Cloud ... I can't stay like this if you're going to be dead...."

Cloud Strife writes I won't die on Reno's palm

Reno says, "I hope not"

Cloud Strife says, "I did it for Aeris... now I'm gonna do it for you... perhaps I'm crazy..."

Scarlett says, "well, you did beat Sephiroth"

Reno kisses Cloud's hand

Cloud Strife smiles

Reno runs his fingers through Cloud's hair

Reno says, "I'll always know you are there ... unless you change the way you smell and cut your hair"

Cloud Strife says, "don't think I can do that Reno. Wouldn't want you being lost... I wish you could hear me... "

Reno runs his fingers through Cloud's hair some more

Cloud Strife leans down and kisses Reno softly

Scarlett says, "I doubt there is anything wrong with his ears ... just the receptors in his brain"

Reno kisses Cloud back

Cloud Strife says, "I can't take him with me.... Because if I lose... he'll keep me alive to see Reno die.... And I don't want to think about what he would do..."

Scarlett says, "Why would he do that? He does not care either way"

Cloud Strife says, "He'd do it to punish me"

Scarlett says, "oh, you're right"

Cloud Strife says, "I think... perhaps.... Reno getting sick was his punishment... for me"

Scarlett blinks

Scarlett says, "how?"

Cloud Strife says, "Not sure really"

Reno kisses Cloud's hand

Cloud Strife gently writes I love you on Reno's palm

Reno smiles

Reno says, "as do I kid"

Cloud Strife says, "So it is my fault... if that is the case"

Scarlett looks at Tifa

Scarlett says, "What do you think Cloud is saying to him?"

Tifa Lockheart says, "Hmm? What he's writing on his hand?"

Scarlett says, "yeah"

Reno clasps Cloud's hand and kisses it some more

Tifa Lockheart says, "Mushy stuff probably... or things that have to be said"

Scarlett says, "hmmm"

Cloud Strife says, "I wish there was an easier way to communicate"

Scarlett says, "yes..."

Scarlett sighs

Reno says, "If not for your touch ... I'd think I was dead...."

Cloud Strife frowns at that statement

Cloud Strife says, "Maybe he was better off dead..."

Scarlett says, "hmm? When was he dead?"

Reno sighs

Cloud Strife says, "Well he wasn't dead... but he would be better off that way"

Reno says, "I don't want to think about what it's going to be like when you have to go elsewhere"

Cloud Strife frowns

Scarlett says, "you really think that Cloud?"

Cloud Strife says, "I can't take him with me..."

Reno kisses Cloud's hand again

Cloud Strife says, "Well Scarlett... he's trapped in there kinda... I love him dearly... but cant help to think he may not want to be that way"

Scarlett says, "but he has something"

Reno nibbles on Cloud's fingers

Cloud Strife says, "Reno this really isn't the time to be turning me on...."

Scarlett chuckles

Cloud Strife says, "I'd love to but I really don't think you're up to it just yet. I'll stick around a few weeks... to make sure he's settled..."

Scarlett nods

Scarlett says, "ok, that sounds good"

Reno takes Cloud's fingers out of his mouth and rubs them against his face

Cloud Strife repositions himself a bit... and looks at Reno

Scarlett looks at Tifa

Scarlett says, "maybe we should leave them alone"

Tifa Lockheart says, "Hmm... Yeah"

Scarlett stands up and walks out of the room

Tifa Lockheart follows Scarlett

Cloud Strife says, "Reno Reno Reno... what am I gonna do with you...."

Reno rubs Cloud's hand against his face

Reno says, "Cloud? You awake?"

Cloud Strife stretches out beside Reno. Taps Reno's nose

Reno smiles

Reno says, "ahh, you are"

Cloud Strife o O (How could I fall asleep with you needing me here....)

Reno says, "how long was I ... in a coma?"

Cloud Strife takes Reno's hand and traces out the number one.... And then writes week on his hand

Reno says, "oh"

Cloud Strife says, "Thank god you've got nice sensitive hands Reno..."

Reno says, "how bad was I? It must have been very bad if ... well ... you know"

Cloud Strife wishes there were an easier way to communicate... writing is only for simple things...

Cloud Strife o O (Jeez Reno... how do I answer someone who cant see or hear... I thought you were gonna die...)

Cloud Strife hugs Reno tightly

Reno hugs Cloud. Slips his arms around Cloud, holding him tightly

Reno o O (at least I can still feel...)

Cloud Strife wiggles his nose... having heard Reno say something even though he didn't talk

Reno snuggles up next to Cloud

Reno o O (safety ... warmth....)

Cloud Strife says, "I'm just being weird... safety... Reno I almost got you killed..."

Cloud Strife shakes his head....

Reno lays his head on Cloud's chest

Cloud Strife strokes his fingers through Reno's hair

Cloud Strife says, "I keep hearing things... must be losing it...."

Reno o O (I wish I could hear him...)

Cloud Strife subconsciously Telepathys back when he thinks

Cloud Strife o O (I wish you could hear me too...)

Reno says, "hmm? Cloud ... I ... think ... I heard you're voice in my mind..."

Cloud Strife says, "Hmm"

Cloud Strife o O (How bout this?)

Reno o O (...hmmm? Cloud? )

Reno clutches him tighter

Cloud Strife. o 0 (Whoa.. this is scary..... )

Reno o O (telepathy?)

Cloud Strife o O (I guess... but how the heck?)

Reno o O (don't knock it... please... let me know I am actually talking to you... and this is not some delusion...)

Cloud Strife o O (No its not a delusion... here I'll pinch you)

Cloud Strife pinches Reno

Reno holds Cloud even tighter

Reno says, "I can hear you in my mind then...."

Cloud Strife o O (yes! And I can talk to you somewhat normally now...)

Reno says, "How bad was I then?"

Cloud Strife o O (Pretty... I didn't think you were going to live)

Reno o O (really? How did I look? I just remember feeling like shit and being so damn hot... like I was in lava or something...)

Cloud Strife o O (You looked so pale... I ... I left with Red... while you were sick... I couldn't watch... even though I wanted to be there in case...)

Reno o O (what about the boat? I know we must have been on one... but I barely remember it...)

Cloud Strife o O (we used the speedboat... that we came over in... I thought I was going to lose you on the way)

Reno o O (why?)

Cloud Strife o O (you were so sick... so hot... burning up... I took off your shirt and tried to cool you down with seawater... Then you got delirious)

Reno o O (I remember being so hot I thought I was in hell.... )

Cloud Strife o O (I took you to hell... you got sick and this happened cuz of me)

Reno holds Cloud tightly to him, his head buried in Cloud's chest

Reno o O (don't say that... please)

Cloud Strife runs his fingers lightly up and down Reno's back

Cloud Strife o O (No... I think Rufus infected you because I wouldn't behave...... )

Reno o O ( ... I also remember how tired I was ... there was a piece of me that just wanted to curl up and sleep forever. how? )

Cloud Strife . o O ( Well.. perhaps its because of his Jenova part... it was a disease of sorts.... )

Reno's head still rests on Cloud's chest"

Cloud Strife . o O ( I wanted you to sleep... I thought if you just went to sleep and left me it would be better )

Reno o O ( better? )

Cloud Strife . o O ( than this )

Reno o O ( why? )

Reno has tears forming around his eyes

Cloud Strife . o O ( Are you happy.. unable to see... or hear? )

Reno o O ( no .. but I am happy to have you )

Cloud Strife . o O ( I just didn't know if you were suffering or not... I didn't want you to linger on in pain..... )

Reno o O ( I don't feel the pain .. I was in great pain before ... but I feel better now )

Cloud Strife . o O ( That's good... I'll take care of you... because I love you... and because this is my fault... )

Reno o O ( what would you have done if we had no boat? )

Cloud Strife . o O ( You would have died... and I would have lost it )

Reno o O ( how long do you think it would have taken for me to die? I was hurting really badly ... and was so hot ... )

Cloud Strife . o O ( I don't like to think about that... but Scarlett said it would have taken a while.... )

Reno o O ( what would you have done? )

Cloud Strife . o O ( if You had died? )

Reno o O ( no .. knowing I was dying ... and couldn't save me .... )

Cloud Strife . o O ( I probably would have cracked... I already felt helpless... holding you in my arms... watching you get worse..... )

Reno sighs softly, keeping his arms tightly around Cloud, and his head lying on his chest

Cloud Strife . o O ( I'm glad you're still with me )

Reno o O ( yeah ... oh, you wanted me to sleep then? I remember you trying to keep me awake ... )

Cloud Strife . o O ( I didn't want to see you suffer..... )

Reno o O ( thanks .... when did you ask me to sleep any way? )

Cloud Strife . o O ( When you got really bad... when you started hallucinating or whatever you were doing )

Reno o O ( that fever really cooked me ... )

Cloud Strife . o O ( but you're okay now aren't you? )

Reno o O ( I can't even remember the last thing I heard ... yeah, I'm feeling better ... in that way any way )

Cloud Strife caresses Reno's cheek gently

Reno smiles

Reno says, "When must you leave?"

Cloud Strife . o O ( I'll stay for a while )

Reno o O ( thanks )

Cloud Strife . o O ( I promise you I won't die.... perhaps I won't come back in one piece... but I won't die )

Reno o O ( and if you do die? )

Cloud Strife . o O ( lets not think about that love... )

Reno o O ( I'll be alone .. I won't know what's going on ... and who is around me ... )

Cloud Strife . o O ( Scarlett can take care of you..... )

Reno says, "zzzzzzzz"

Cloud Strife says, "Poor Reno....."