DISCLAIMER- All the characters belong to Square Enix. I own no one, not even the cities they live in. The story, however, is mine. Any similarities to any other story is purely coincidence. (if anything gets too similar to something, please point the story out to me and I will try my hardest to change the direction of mine)

QUICK AUTHOR'S OPENING NOTE- I really hope this story ain't complete crap! i have a ton of ideas but all for later chapters. it's always hardest to me coming up with an opening chapter. hopefully this one doesn't suck. and if it does, please stick around at least a little while longer. i really plan to make it better. even the title was hard to come up with!

WARNINGS- just some cursing. nothing graphic this early.

Reno yawned loudly as he walked through the front doors of the Shin-Ra office building. Glancing at the clock on the wall, he decided he had a quick moment to stop at the coffee vender in the lobby. He was only fifteen minutes late. That was pretty much a record for him. After grabbing his cup of black coffee, he headed for the elevator; glancing quickly at the secretary as he passed.

"Morning Reno" her voice cooed and she flashed him her best smile.

"Morning Kara" he replied in an equally flirty voice. "Cute top."

Entering the elevator, he rolled his eyes at the annoying giggles he heard behind him. Kara was cute and all, but that girly, giddy, giggly, voice of hers was annoying as hell! Reno hated that. He liked his girls girly and a little ditzy made for some good times, but not "omg how did you even pass 1st grade" dumb. Unless they were blonde, had fake boobs, and were flexible…then anything goes.

Exiting the elevator at his floor, he saw Tseng walking out of their office and toward his own.

"Sup Chief!"

"Reno, nice to see you…late as always." Tseng replied, eyes never leaving the contents of the folder he was holding. "I left some folders on your desk for you to go over. Rude got the same mission. Any questions let me know."

"Sure thing" he replied, not really caring what Tseng said, or what was in the folders.

Walking into the office he shared with his 2 other fellow Turks, he quickly made his way to his desk; shoving the manila folders aside.

"Hey Rude. So, what do we got this time?"

"Nothing exciting. A couple people to follow, a possible B&E, that's about it." Rude replied, carefully looking over the details in the folder Tseng had given him.

"Urgh. This sucks. I'm not looking for a third return of Sephiroth or anything, but you got to admit…things have been beyond boring lately."

"Give it time. We barely had Edge built before Sephiroth returned and tried to destroy it. And only a year after that, that secret underground group went all ballistic on the world-"

"And we had no part in that!" Reno interrupted. "Vincent and Cloud and their happy little crew took care of all that shit. Rufus wanted nothing to do with it. We had to "lay low, don't get involved, stay here and protect me, funding the WRO is enough, we need to work on the new plans to re-build the Shin-Ra building," he said in a mocking, whiney voice.

Shaking his head, he went back to sipping his coffee and glanced across the room at the empty desk.

"Where the hell is Elena?"

Rude glanced up looking over at the desk. Frowning he replied, "I have no idea. I don't think she called in sick. Tseng didn't say anything."

As if on cue, Elena walked into the office, straightening her hair and jacket and she strode over to her desk. Rude and Reno silently watched her, eyebrows arched. As soon as she sat in her chair, Tseng's voice could be heard from down the hall.

"Elena…my office please," he grumbled out annoyingly.

"Shit!" she whispered to herself before getting up and walking out the door.

"What…the hell?" Reno asked, eyes still on the doorway where she had just disappeared.

"I'm not one to gossip…but that is definitely not the norm for her."

When Elena walked back into the room, she looked like she was fighting the urge to cry.

"You ok Laney?" Reno asked, genuinely concerned.

"Huh? Yea…yea, I'm fine. I'm just…having a bad morning. That's all."

"Tseng didn't scold you too hard did he?"

"No…no. He didn't yell at me."

"I'm late everyday. Don't worry about it. He ain't really mad at you."

"I know…I'm fine. Really."

"Okay well…if you need somethin' let us know."

The rest of the day played out the same way as that morning. Elena was unusually quiet and seemed to fight back tears all day. Tseng pretty much kept to himself and was busy on his phone, literally his whole shift.

"Hey man, what do you say to going out for a few drinks tonight? It's been a few days."

"Reno, you go out drinking every night. What do you mean 'it's been a few days'?"

"I meant since the both of us went out, man. Come on, I could use my wing man tonight."

"Pft. I have a hard time believing the womanizer himself needs a wingman. You get ass all the time without me."

"I know. But I'm getting sick of the bimbos. They're too easy. I think I'm up for a challenge tonight. Something a bit more classy."

"Whatever man. I could use a few drinks I guess."

"Maybe we should invite Elena. She looks like she could really use a night out. I'll meet you at that new bar I told you about a few weeks ago. "

Rude neatly stacked the papers on his desk and grabbed his phone before walking out of the office and heading home. Reno sat on the edge of his desk waiting for Elena to return from Tseng's office. When she did, she scuttled back to her desk and sat down with a huff, burying her head in her arms.

"Hey…you sure everything is okay with you today?"

Elena's head snapped up upon hearing Reno's voice.

"You startled me. I thought you had left with Rude."

"No, I hung back for a few. So…back to my question."

"I'm fine Reno. I already told you that I'm just having an off day."

"Well let me help ya out. Me and Rude are going out tonight for drinks. Why don't you come along. Loosen up a bit."

"Reno…thanks but I don't think-"

"Come on. Please?"

"It's nice of you but-"

"Pleease?"

"Seriously, Reno I-"

"Pleeeeeeeease?" Reno said putting on his best pouty face, trying to cheer her up.

With a defeated sigh and a slight smile tugging at her lips, she finally gave in.

"That's what I thought!" Reno proclaimed proudly. "No girl can resist the Reno pout. So, I'll see you in an hour or two. I'll text ya the directions."

Elena sat by herself at the bar; hand idly stirring her drink with the straw. She read back over the graffiti engraved and sharpied across the counter. It may be a "new bar" but the building and furniture was anything but. It looked more like an old bar simply under new management. And piss poor management at that. This city needed something new. Something classy. All Edge felt like to Elena was a smaller, crappier version of Midgar. She missed her old city. Missed her old home. Missed the old Shin-Ra. Some things she could definitely do without, but all in all she missed the way certain things were.

They had been here about two hours now. Reno was off in some corner with a new girl just about every fifteen minutes. He couldn't seem to make up his mind tonight. Every so often she would see Rude come back to the bar to grab some more beers. He'd nod her way and she'd give him a half ass smile in return.

"Want a beer?"

"Oh, no thanks Rude. I'm still sipping on my drink."

"Save it for later then. Come on, what brand you like?"

"No, really you don't have to do that. I'm fine, thanks."

"What's it matter? I've been buying them almost all night for Reno and his broads. At least let me buy one for someone who I know will appreciate it."

"Honestly, I'm fine. Just…carry on. I'm sure your little group is waiting." Elena went back to playing with her straw and picking at a hole in her jeans. It felt awkward being out with her co-workers outside of work. Seeing Rude in a fitting t-shirt and jeans felt weird to her. Not to mention being out of her Turk uniform herself. It made her almost feel vulnerable. When she had her uniform on it made her feel tougher. Made her feel worth something. She wasn't the short, blonde girl hidden in the shadows. She was a Turk. An elite member of Shin-Ra. Now she was a mousy, lonely girl in a bar.

Rude walked back to where Reno was sitting surrounded by 3 giggling girls. Reno usually went for blondes, but the one currently clinging to his left side was no where near anything he'd sleep with. Not only was her red lipstick too loud and messy, but her A-cups wouldn't come close to doing anything for Reno and Rude could tell even before looking between her legs that her mileage was way past it's maximum. Reno may have kept his signature red hair, but he wasn't too fond of red heads for some odd reason. So that left her friend out.

That left the brunette. Only Reno would have one of each type of girl hanging off him at some run down, dinky bar. Rude had to admit, the brunette definitely was a catch. Definitely one of the better girls he's ever seen Reno with. He hated to distract his buddy but hey…he was the wing man. If it weren't for him, Reno would be stumbling out here with the blonde broad. Setting the drinks down on the table he leaned in to quietly talk in Reno's ear.

"Hey man, I don't think this night is doing anything to cheer up Elena."

"What do ya mean?"

"She's been sitting alone at the bar all night."

"Well tell her to come over here and join us!" Reno half yelled in his drunken state. He wasn't wasted, but he definitely was feeling a little more than tipsy.

"Yeah, so she can sit here picking at her jeans and playing with her straw instead of over there?"

"At least she wouldn't be alone!" Reno replied, finally grabbing one of the beers from the table.

"Reno…it wasn't fair to invite her out and ignore her."

"Look man…" Reno harshly whispered back to his friend. "She may not be enjoying herself but I sure as hell am. Do you see this chick? This is what I've been craving, no NEEDING the past few weeks. I got this shit on lockdown. She is so coming home with me."

"Yeah, no thanks to me, your wing man, right? I helped you get her and I can just as easily make her disappear."

"Dude, come on! Why would you do that?"

"Because someone a little more important needs us a little more than your piece of ass."

"Urrrgh." He grumbled out, clearly annoyed. "What do I do? You're serious?"

"Tell her you're friend needs you. It makes you look…admirable or whatever. She's sees you're a caring nice guy and doesn't think you're just trying to get her in bed. You'll see her again. Trust me. Grab her number or something."

"Fine." Reno sighed. His friends owed him after this…big!

Elena took another sip of her drink and set it down. Grabbing her phone, she looked at the time. Maybe she should just go home. Tonight obviously wasn't going anywhere fast. Before she could stand up, someone behind her snatched up her drink.

"Bleh! Oh my gawd! What is this crap you're drinking?" Reno exclaimed after stealing a sip of the clear liquid.

"Um…gin and tonic."

"Elena, what the hell? Only old men drink that crap. Yo bartender! This girl needs a new drink. What do ya want? Beer? Or would you prefer a fruity girly drink or something?"

"I'm fine. I was actually thinking of leaving-"

"Nonsense. Come on, I'm buyin. Whatever you want. Anything except that old man piss." Reno said, grabbing his wallet from his back pocket.

"Fine…strawberry margarita. Sugar, no salt."

"Figures, " Reno mumbled getting a few gil out of his wallet.

"Cancel that," Elena suddenly exclaimed. "Make it a long island iced tea."

"Sure about that?" Reno asked, arching an eyebrow and quickly glancing at Rude who was doing the same. "I told you to get what you want. I just want you to be drinking something you enjoy. Not something gross."

"Well I do enjoy gin and tonics and I also enjoy long island iced teas."

"Ooo-kay then. You heard the lady, get her an iced tea."

Reno and Rude sat drinking with her the rest of the night. It wasn't what Reno originaly had in mind, but his co-workers were family. Hanging with them was always enjoyable and if it meant getting Elena out of her weird funk, then he was fine with it. And it only took three drinks to make Elena a slurring mess.

"Wow, I'd say you're cut off, babe." Reno said to Elena grabbing her arm to keep her from falling off the bar stool.

"I second that!" Rude piped in. "I say we head out. It's getting late."

"Yea, come on Laney. Let's get you home."

Rude took off his own way home, while Reno made sure to walk Elena back to her apartment. Their walk was relatively quiet, save for a few giggles and stumbles along the way.

"So…" Reno started when they were about a block from her place. "You gonna tell me yet what was bothering you earlier?"

"I's already tooolllld you. Bad day. Let it go. Nothing you need to concern yourself with."

"You know you could tell me if something was wrong, right?"

"Psh. Yeah okay. So you can make fun of me or pick on me."

"No." Reno replied, almost hurt. "I mean it. If something is wrong I'll try and help you. Rude too. And I'm sure Tseng feels the same. He may be our boss and seem like a tight ass, but we're all kinda like family, ya know?"

"Reno please…just drop it, okay? I'm fine."

"Alright…I'm just saying. Well, you want me to walk you up to your door or drop you off here?"

"Here is fine. Thanks."

"Got your keys?"

"Ummm….yepps! Here dey are!" Elena exclaimed, jingling them in front of Reno's face.

"Okay okay, settle down. I'll see you tomorrow. Don't forget to take aspirin and drink a glass of water before bed, ok?"

"Geez…I got it DAD!"

"I'm just trying to help, Laney. Now go to bed." He said before hugging her goodnight and making sure she made it to the elevator okay.

Running a hand through his hair, he turned and headed towards his own apartment building. Smiling to himself he starting thinking about what work was gonna be like. He wasn't sure if he was dreading or anticipating Elena coming into work all hung over.

A/N: soooo....did it suck? i don't have a beta or anything. i swear the first chapter or every fic ive ever written is the hardest to write. this wasn't how i planned to have this open AT ALL. and i didn't mean to make elena such a debbie downer either. she won't be like that all the time. this chapter was simply to get the ball rolling.

im not big on characters being OC but that may be the case a little bit with elena. it's hard cause you never see much of her and i really hate to make her be some stupid dumb blonde. so im just going to make her how i want to for this story's sake.

also, i appologize if anything i mention doesn't entirely match up with the game (or gameSSS) this story takes place after dirge of cerberus. i haven't completed the game, myself (a first person shooter square enix? honestly? you can't expect your hard core rpg-loving fanbase to go along with that crap and really enjoy it!) but i do know of most of the events that happened in it. it's just easier on me to simply say "takes place after all the crap that went down" ^_^

all im really asking is that you guys give it a few chapters before deciding if you hate it or not. and please leave some type of review. (just don't be too mean -_- ) reviews are what help me to write both better and faster. thank yous!