This started out as a one-shot in my head...but as I started typing, it just kept going! So I'm not sure where this will end up, but if you read and review, I welcome any feedback or suggestions!
Rating: T for now, mild profanity.
Pairing: Elena/Tseng
Summary: Elena's been blowing off happy hour with the rest of the Turks, and Tseng is determined to know what she's up to in her spare time.
Disclaimer: Square Enix owns Elena, Tseng, and everyone else.
Please read and review, I hope you enjoy! xoxo
It was just in the past month or so that Tseng had noticed something...different about Elena. Normally, after finishing a job, Elena and the rest of theTurks would regroup and hit a local bar. Preferably one that Reno or Rude had not yet gotten them thrown out of, given Reno's smart mouth, and Rude's penchant for smashing things…and people.
Lately, though, Elena had been skipping out on this usual practice, claiming she "needed to file a report immediately" back at ShinRa HQ, or some such thing. Since Tseng was first in command of the Turks, he knew that Elena's "excuse" was thin at best. He wondered if perhaps Elena was feeling awkward, since Reno's recent revelation that she "liked Tseng." Tseng, of course, eventually got wind of this, and it became common knowledge around ShinRa headquarters, no thanks to Reno's yapping.
Little did anyone know, that the feeling was mutual. Tseng had been nursing a crush on the tough talking blonde for quite some time, but he was hardly one to wear his heart on his sleeve. And, he wasn't about to confide in the likes of Reno or Rude, so he kept his feelings to himself.
Still, Tseng's curiosity as to Elena's whereabouts after work hours was gnawing at him, and the topic came up one evening over drinks at Turtle's Paradise. Naturally, it was the gossipy Reno who first brought up the subject.
"Say, boss," began Reno. "What the hell's going on with Elena, with all these reports? Don't overwork the poor broad, yo," he smirked, chugging out of a bottle of rum.
"You will not refer to Elena as a 'broad', Reno," replied Tseng, frowning. "Show a little respect."
"Yeah, Reno. Respect," grunted Rude.
Now that the topic was on the table, Tseng found his opening. "Yes, well, Reno…now that you've brought it up, I've been wondering the same thing."
Reno and Rude both looked a bit surprised at this. "Boss?" began Rude. "So, you're not assigning her an extra workload?"
"No, I am not," replied Tseng. "She claims that she 'wants to get ahead' on her reports, almost immediately after completion of a job. However," he continued, "both of you – well, you've been Turks long enough to know how this works. It's just as important for us to…unwind a bit, as it is to take care of the paperwork. I am starting to worry about her morale."
Reno looked thoughtful for a moment. "Huh. Well, maybe she's hung up on you boss, just as much as you're hung up on her, and she feels uncomfortable."
Tseng sputtered, choking on his sake, "What! What exactly are you inferring, Reno?"
Reno cackled. "Ha, boss. Nice one. I'm good at reading people, yo. I've been noticing the way you've been looking at her…how you get that look in your eye when you're dealing with her…"
"I am nothing but completely professional around Elena," interrupted Tseng. "And besides that, Reno, how did you-where do you get off spreading rumors about the leader of the Turks?" he inquired, arching an eyebrow.
Reno leaned back in his chair, clasping his hands behind his head and putting his feet up on the table. "Eh, it's just a simple observation, boss. I haven't said anything to anyone. Well, except for Rude, and he hardly counts."
"Hmpf," grunted Rude. "Another round, guys?" he offered.
"Nah, I'm cool, yo," replied Reno. "I think our boss here might want to do some recon work though, tracking down our missing Turk."
"Indeed?" remarked Tseng, twirling his glass of sake around and observing the ripples. "I should hardly think that's necessary, Reno. I don't believe Elena's up to anything devious, she's an exemplary employee." Still, mused Tseng, it couldn't hurt to do a little follow up. Hedecided to stop by headquarters to see if he could find Elena. If she was anywhere within the ShinRa building, Tseng would be sure to find her…he had his ways of finding people.
What if she doesn't want to be found, though? Tseng pondered silently as he drained the last of his sake. No matter, he decided, I must find out what she's up to. And perhaps…perhaps, I will tell her that her feelings are not unrequited.
Finishing his drink, Tseng turned to his companions. "Good night, men," he said. "I shall be calling it a night. See you both tomorrow, at oh-five-hundred hours.
"Five a.m.?" complained Reno. "Geez, man. Talk about a straw boss." Sighing, Reno got up to leave. "Rude, we're going," he stated. "And Tseng?"
"Yes, Reno?" replied Tseng.
"Tell Elena we said hi," Reno answered, smirking.
Tseng shot Reno a look, but said nothing. Damn that Reno, he thought. "Good night, Reno. Good night, Rude," Tseng stated flatly, and turned his barstool away from the two men.
