So I decided to practice writing by randomly generating a word on the internet and then using it sort of as a theme for a one-shot. I figured it would motivate me to write more. I mostly plan to use this to write some Tselena fics, but who knows? I might write about some other couples as well.

Anyway, here's the first one. It's set right after Advent Children when Elena finally returns to work after being out for a week or two, recuperating. The word that was generated was "sleep".

Oh, and don't own FFVII. Which is unfortunate.

Clocking Out Early

The only sound was the soft hum of the computers and air conditioning system. Other than that, the office was quiet. Elena was glad that everybody else had already gone home. Now nobody would notice that she hadn't. They were used to seeing her work late anyway. There was always so much paperwork and Elena always felt like she was behind. That's what came with being a Turk though. Lots of late nights and early mornings. The only difference this time was, she planned on working well through the night. Maybe she'd actually get all of her work done this time. At the very least, she couldn't go home. She'd rather be alone here than there.

She pulled out the file she had started several weeks ago. Between the chaos Kadaj and his brothers had caused and the amount of time she had spent recovering from dealing with them, she'd barely been in the office long enough to work on it. Not that she had minded then. She had dreaded working on it. Now however, she was almost happy to be finishing. It wouldn't be hanging over her head anymore and it would distract her for the next several hours.

She was so busy typing that she didn't notice the figure that appeared in her doorway.

"Elena?"

She jumped, nearly knocking over a stack of papers beside her. She spun around and let out a breath, trying to calm her heart down once she realized it was just him.

"Tseng. Why are you still here?"

"I was just about to ask you the same question," he said, moving further into her office.

She looked away from him, feeling nervous for some reason. She didn't know why. She had no reason to. But maybe it was because the last time the two of them had been alone together had been when they were being tortured by Kadaj and his brothers. Her mind skittered. She shouldn't think about that…

"I was planning on catching up on some paperwork," she said. "Rufus wanted this file two weeks ago."

"Yes, but you were in the hospital then. I'm sure he understands if it's a little late."

She blushed, refusing to meet his dark eyes that were scrutinizing her. She spoke, trying to keep her voice steady. "Well, I just thought I'd finish it now since I'm back and the Remnants are gone—"

"The doctor said that you should take it easy for the next couple of weeks," Tseng said, sternly cutting her off. "That means regular hours only. No overtime."

She risked a glance at him. "You're here, aren't you?"

"Yes, but I wasn't injured as badly as you."

Elena winced. It's true. The Remnants had tortured her the most. Probably because they knew she was weaker and it had been easier to make her scream. They had put her through all kinds of pain hoping she'd surrender. She hadn't. By sheer force of will and probably a slight miracle, she hadn't. The worst part of it all, however, had to be that they had made Tseng watch. She'd been reduced to a screaming, crying, broken girl right in front of him, a fact that she tried to ignore but always managed to slip into her mind whenever they were in the same room. She never even saw them torture him. They'd only start after she passed out. When she came to, she would only notice the new bruise on his jaw, the gash on his forehead, or the trail of blood that ran down his arm, staining his shirt sleeve. She knew that he had more wounds that she couldn't see. He'd be breathing hard, his voice laced with pain as he called to her.

"Elena?"

"Sir?" she'd rasp out.

His eyes would close then, relief on his face. A small part of her liked that he was so concerned for her, but she knew that it would probably be better if she just died. Then Elena couldn't screw up by telling the brothers what they wanted to know. Tseng would never tell, no matter what they did to him, but she wasn't so sure she was strong enough. It occurred to her though that if she did die then there would be no one to distract them from torturing Tseng just as badly as they were torturing her, and she couldn't stand that thought. So she willed herself to live. To live and keep silent.

"You're…doing well," he said one time, when the Remnants had left them alone for a while. His breathing was labored. Elena stopped herself from moaning as a new wave of pain hit her when she tried to turn towards him.

She tried licking her lips. Her throat was dry and scratched from screaming so much. She felt better talking to him though. It made everything hurt a little less. "Actually, I've…been better."

Tseng started to smile, but it turned into a grimace.

"Tseng?" she had said, allowing herself to enjoy the sound of his name in her mouth.

"Yes?" he answered.

"No…no matter what they do…to me," she said, coughing between words. "You won't…you won't give in, right?"

Something strange had passed over Tseng's face then, but Elena felt so hazy she wasn't quite sure what it was. She wondered if she had made him angry. He was a Turk, of course he wouldn't give in. She was stupid for asking. Now it seemed like she was questioning his abilities.

"I'm sorry," she blurted out quickly, or at least as quickly as she could without breaking into a coughing fit. "I just…I don't want to die for nothing."

"You're not going to die," he said. He did sound angry now. She looked away from him, feeling ashamed. She didn't want him to be mad at her. She didn't want that to be the last thing she remembered of him.

She heard him sigh. There was a slight rustling sound as he shifted. "Elena, look at me."

She reluctantly obeyed, dragging her eyes to meet his.

He now looked calm, his expression almost gentle. His voice was soft when he spoke to her. "I won't tell them anything," he said. "But only because both of us are going to get through this. Those bastards won't get anything, and we're both going to live. You got that?"

Elena was surprised at the certainty in his voice. They were hardly in a position to be rescued. Nobody knew where they were. If it wasn't Tseng, she would have called him crazy. But it was, so all she did was nod and murmured out an "okay."

It turns out he was right.

Tseng was now looking down at her, looking slightly guilty. "Working late is not going to help you recuperate," he said.

She paused. "I'm not tired."

"That's not the point." He stepped up closer to her desk. "Elena, what's wrong?"

She closed her eyes. She should have known she couldn't keep anything from Tseng. He always saw right through her.

"I can't sleep," she finally admitted. "I keep having nightmares about…" She trailed off.

Tseng understood though. She was confused when he reached up, loosening his tie. "Come with me," he said. She hesitated only slightly before following him out of her office and into the break room. "Take those off," he said, nodding at her tie and jacket, removing his own. "They don't matter this late at night anyway."

Elena slowly obeyed as Tseng poured two cups of tea. He handed one to her. "Drink this. It'll help calm you down," he said.

She took a cautious sip. She wasn't a huge tea person, but this was good. It had a slight orange flavor to it mixed with some other spice that slid nicely over her tongue and throat. It was warm and soothing too. She took another sip. Tseng watched her as she did only drinking from his cup after she had some of hers.

"I've been having trouble too," he said, breaking the small silence that had settled between them. Elena blinked in surprise, first that Tseng also had problems, second that he was admitting it to her. She had never thought Tseng would be affected by it as much as she was though. He was always so much stronger than her.

"I've been staying here since I got back," he continued. "I found it easier to distract myself with work than face the nightmares."

Elena nodded, looking down. "It is easier."

Tseng sipped his tea. "But it's not practical. We're going to have to face it eventually."

"I know." She held her empty cup between her hands having a sudden urge to crush it with frustration. "I just don't know how."

Her eyes widened when Tseng reached across the table and grabbed one of her hands. She looked up at him, a blush crossing her face, both surprised and pleased. His hand was warm on hers and it sent a pleasant chill up her arm.

"Easy," he said, pulling her onto her feet. "The same way we got through the real thing." He led her to the couch. It was the spot where many Turks, especially Reno, took power naps. It wasn't as big or soft as her bed, but it served its purpose if needed. When Tseng pulled her down onto it though, she was surprised how comfortable it felt. Or maybe it was just how nice it felt to have her back pressed against Tseng's chest as he wrapped his arms around her, laying them down together. Elena's heart fluttered. Could this really be happening?

It was. Tseng pressed his lips against her ear. "I'm right here," he said, softly. "It'll be alright."

Elena clung onto his arm, squeezing it slightly to let him know that she was there for him too.

Together, she realized. That's how they would make it through this.

It didn't take long before the firm wall of muscle behind her and the sweet oriental smell that filled her senses lulled her to sleep. She didn't dream that night. Neither did Tseng.

It was the best night of sleep either of them had ever had.

So, I hope it was okay. I might have gone a little OOC with Tseng, huh? I'm not sure. I've never played the game before, but don't worry I'm working on fixing that. Please review if you have time. I really need constructive criticism on my writing. Pretty pretty please? No? Oh...okay then. Can't blame a girl for asking.

I hope you all have a lovely day!