AN: A fic I wrote for fun, I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it. The info is based on what I have read of the Before Crisis script and the novella 'On the Way to a Smile; Case of ShinRa', it should be accurate (Minus Reno's back story, that is purely my twisted imagination).

Those Who Lurk in The Shadows

Chapter One: Prelude

Tseng heard the laughter first as he rounded the street corner. He repressed a sigh. The laughter grew as he drew closer, the street lamps flickering above his head, as he put a hand on the gun stowed safely in the holster on his belt. The street was dingy, litter blowing slightly in the wind, his foot hit a can and sent it tumbling into a drain in the silent road.

"Get off of me you son of a bi-!"

Tseng heard a loud smack and a cry, then the familiar voice of Reno.

"You shut up, yo!"

"Reno!"

Reno looked up from where he was standing. The man led on the floor; beaten, bloodied and hog tied. Reno had both hands in his pockets and was chewing on a cocktail stick, he grinned around it, as his eyes found Tseng. "Yo, boss. We go' 'im."

"..." Rude said, cracking his knuckles in a sinister manner as he glared down at the bound man.

"Call your fucking dogs off! I'm innocent, man!"

Tseng did not deign to reply, and Reno booted the man in the ribs for speaking, causing another yelp to escape his crimson lips. "You did well. The car will be along in a moment to pick him up and take him back to headquarters for questioning."

"Right-o." Reno said, stepping back from the prisoner. Tseng noticed that he had a mark on the side of his jaw and arched an eyebrow curiously, Reno noted the expression and rubbed at his jaw with a scowl. "Caught me off guard, yo."

"You were gloating." Rude said quietly, earning a glare from his red-headed partner.

"I was jus' explainin' why we had to tie 'im up, yo."

"Bragging." Rude replied, and fell silent once again; his eyes hidden behind his sunglasses, turning to Tseng for instruction.

"Pick him up, we have to meet the car." Tseng said as he watched Reno bend and lift the man into the air, he struggled so violently Reno dropped him.

"Whoops." Reno said as the man fell to the floor with a painful sounding thud. "Rude?" Rude grunted and moved forward, hoisting the prisoner into the air as if he were lifting a child. Tseng led the way as they walked down the street and into a dark alley. He took out his PHS from his pocket, and quickly sent a message to Cissnei. A minute later, they saw headlights illuminating the dingy, heavily-graffitied walls. Cissnei appeared from the drivers side and folded her arms across her chest, as Rude moved forwards and dumped the prisoner unceremoniously into the car. They heard a few thumps and a grunt as Rude shoved the prisoner into a vaguely seated position. When he was certain the target was safe inside the car, Tseng turned to Reno.

"I want your report on my desk by midday. Until then, I want you to watch Aer-The Ancient."

Reno whined a little, kicking at a stone before nodding. "Borin'."

"I know you dislike it, but President ShinRa wants the girl watched, it is our job to do that."

"I 'eard you go roun' for tea, yo." Reno smirked, as a devious light entered his eyes.

"That is not your concern. Now go."

Reno saluted lazily and stalked away; shadows closing in around him as he faded from sight.

XXX

A tray of freshly baked cookies sat cooling on the table, the oven left slightly ajar to let the heat and sweet scent of melted chocolate fill her kitchen. Elmyra stretched, arching her back inwards before arranging the dirty bowls and utensils into a manageable stack. In a clockwork fashion, she walked to the sink and with a free hand, ran the tap. She gazed out the window into the dimly lit world, her eyes subconsciously scanning for him. They rested, however, on a lone red-headed man standing almost out of sight. She squinted slightly, trying to note any other defining features or a sense of remembrance, but whoever this man was, she did not recognise him.

She turned the tap off and placed the dirty bowls in to soak, glancing up at the clock and then back out at the stranger. She sighed heavily. It was late, and it looked unlikely that he would be visiting tonight. It didn't matter much – Aerith was asleep – but the company was always pleasant. Smiling, she moved to the kettle, picking it up and listening to make sure it had enough water. Satisfied, she turned the hob on and set it back down.

Reno groaned, gazing up to the plate above. Security detail was not his thing, and standing outside some house like a creepy stalker was not something he liked the thought of, either. He looked over at the lone light on in the house, wondering who on earth would be up at this ungodly hour besides the scourges of society – himself included. Shifting from one foot to the other, he glanced around; not that there was much to see. If Rude was here, at least he'd have some company, if not decent conversation. There wasn't even any fine tail in the vicinity, and he contemplated a trip to the Honeybee Inn was in order.

Reno was so caught up with his thoughts, that a creaking noise almost startled him. His eyes darted in the direction of the noise, his body tensing and an arm tentatively reaching behind him. A figure from the direction of the house was moving towards him. His thoughts raced as he weighed up moving into a new position, or whether he'd be hog-tying someone else tonight.

"I'm hardly a threat to you, you know." Elmyra grinned as she raised her tray slightly, nodding down to the contents. "Just from the oven, and some tea to help keep you awake. I wasn't sure if you were hungry, and frankly," she stopped a few feet from Reno, holding the tray out to him, "this has to be very boring work. She's asleep, and won't be awake...probably for a few more hours. Just knock if you fancy a refill."

Reno grinned brightly, the expression giving away his youth. "Thanks, ma'am." He said and took the proffered tray, setting it down on a rock and throwing himself to the floor where he reclined casually.

"You're very young to be working for the Turks."

"Yeah, I guess so." Reno replied, stuffing a cookie into his mouth and chewing happily.

"How on earth does one get into working for such an organisation?" Elmyra asked absently as she watched the man sip at the hot tea and sigh happily.

Reno paused and frowned at her, his eyes scanning her face quickly as if searching for a sign that she was dangerous. "Trus' me, lady, you don' wanna know."

"My name is Elmyra, please." She said with a smile. "I apologise if I caused any offence."

"Nah, none taken, yo. It's jus' all a bit Top Secret, ya'know?" He ate another cookie. "These're good."

"That's very kind of you to say." Elmyra smiled.

There was a brief pause as they both took in the night air.

"The girl...I mean, Aerith, she doin' ok?"

"Oh yes, she's fine."

"She seems a bi' o' a dreamer, yo."

"You could say that. Is there anything else you would like before I go to bed?"

"Nah, thanks anyways. I gotta stay here 'till my replacement arrives then I'm gone, yo."

"All right, good night...?" She looked at him questioningly.

"Reno." Reno said, grinning.

"Good night then, Reno."

"Night, yo." Reno watched the woman walk away curiously. "Weird lady." He muttered and stuffed another cookie into his mouth.