Author's note: I do not own Final Fantasy Seven or its characters. This is set during the game sometime after Reno is let out of the hospital.

A Celebratory Drink

Elena was nervous, but she was trying not to let that show. Oddly enough, she wasn't nervous because she had been dragged off to a bar for a drinking session with her co-workers. Elena could handle a drinking session or eight. It was making a good impression on her co-workers that she worried about. She was afraid that she hadn't exactly put her best foot forward. But she was new at this, damn it, and it was intimidating. It also didn't help that she had been nursing a crush on Tseng for several years now.

But for better or for worse, she was stuck at this bar with them, and she might as well make the best of it. With any luck, she would be working with Reno, Rude, and Tseng for a long time to come, and whatever she could learn about them would probably be a help. She was also well aware that this could quite possibly be a test. Elena couldn't help wrinkling her nose a little at their choice of bars though. This place was an utter dive. Rude caught the gesture and just shrugged.

"We haven't been thrown out of this one yet," was his explanation.

That didn't exactly bode well. Still, Elena was determined to stick this out. So she sat in the dingy, little dive and let Reno order a drink for her. When the tequila arrived, Elena raised an eyebrow. How predictable.

"Too strong for you, rookie?" Reno teased.

Elena just shrugged her shoulders a little and knocked back the shot, not bothering with the lime or salt. She didn't like tequila, but it was easy enough to down. Reno goggled a little. Rude gave her a look. Tseng's expression didn't really change. Elena ordered a drink she would actually like. She might as well enjoy herself.

Nearly four hours later, Reno was getting incoherent. Elena knew that the only sign of drunkenness she was displaying was her flushed cheeks. Then again, she probably hadn't had quite as much to drink as Reno, but she had kept up with the rest of the Turks easily. Her boss arched an eyebrow at her.

"You can hold your alcohol." It was almost a compliment.

Elena couldn't fight down her blush.

Reno's comment was more to the point. "Shit, Laney, where did you learn to drink?"

She just shrugged. "My sister used to take me to bars with her at least once a week. By the time I was done with high school I had developed a reasonable tolerance."

At Rude's odd look, she felt pressed to further explain. "When a Turk says someone isn't underage, bartenders generally don't check ids."

Reno raised his glass to her. "I'll drink to that. To underage drinking."

Then he passed out and fell off the barstool. Elena giggled. Tseng just sighed, and Rude shrugged. She had a feeling she would getting used to this.