A/n: Thanks for all of my reviews, guys, I really appreciate it! This chapter will starter to get more into the actual Final Fantasy VII plot. I know it had been a little slow before so things are going to get rolling in this chapter.

Disclaimer: Really?

Chapter 4: Take Time to Realize

The rest of the week followed much like it had the first day. The only difference was…it got a little easier each day. It almost became a routine in the time frame of just a week! Get up, get dressed, go to work, clock in, do a little paperwork, trained ruthlessly with Reno, then there was lunch, computer work and then I would go home exhausted. The paperwork was continually easy. It was Reno's training that was getting to me.

Each day, he'd add something more ridiculous and difficult for me to attempt. For the most part, I could keep up, but there were days when I just wanted to call it quits and leave. Much like today. Reno had gotten the bright idea of adding air soft guns to the equation. I found it a little odd that he kept using my ass as target practice…either way, I'm pretty sure he created this drill just to do what he does best, and that is to laugh at me.

After I quickly ate my lunch, I began to work on a new document on the computer when Tseng opened the door, staring at me and Rude.

"We're having a meeting, come to the 66th floor immediately." He stated, leaving the room as soon as the words were uttered. I looked over at Rude and shrugged. He simply nodded and walked towards the door. Following him, I couldn't help but wonder what the meetings were going to be like. What was there possibly to discuss? I always thought missions were talked about privately. Maybe we were going on a huge group mission. Also, where was Reno? He hadn't shown up after lunch.

I suppressed a laugh at the thought. Oh, how amazing it would be if that annoying little redhead got reprimanded for being late! However, my bubble was busted. I walked into the large meeting room and there he was, sitting near the end, tapping his pen on the huge table in a loud rhythm. The worst part about this situation? The seat next to his was the only one left, and judging by the way he was grinning at me…he planned that shit out.

I scowled at him, passing the other two Turks, Heideggar and a woman I hadn't met before, but by the way she looked at me, I wasn't sure if I wanted to. I'm guessing that was Scarlet. Reno pulled the chair out beside him and I looked at it before taking it into my hands and sitting down.

"Now that everyone is here, we will discuss the next plan of action for the resistance faction, AVALANCHE." Reeve began, taking a stand. Everyone looked at each other before turning to Reeve, nodding for him to go on.

"With that being said, Tseng, I've been told that the President would like a report on retrieving the Ancient girl, Aerith." Reeve continued, calling Tseng to attention. He stood up and brushed off his perfect suit before giving Reno a strange look and speaking up.

"According to Reno, Second-in-Command, Aerith escaped the Turks and ran off with an Ex-SOLDIER. Their whereabouts are not unknown, however. They were last seen at the wall market, outside Don Corneo's mansion with another brunette that's subject to be with AVALANCHE." Tseng stated, handing a file to Reeve before sitting down. I, by this point, was completely confused. I almost took the risk of asking Reno what was going on, but that idea quickly dissolved when I saw his face. The redhead was staring daggers into Tseng and his hand was clenched around his pen.

"Why would they be at the Don's mansion?" Scarlet quipped, pulling out a nail file and filing her nails noisily. Just for the record, Reeve was right. Her voice has got to be the most annoying thing I have ever heard.

"To get information, you moron. Don is a link with ShinRa and being the fat bastard that he is, he'll sing like an oversized canary." Reno snapped back, causing me to jump a little from his darkened tone. What was his problem, anyway? Was it because he failed to get that girl?

"Don't talk to me like that, Turk. You are my subordinate and you better damn well remember it!"

"Enough!" Reeve stopped the beginnings of the argument and continued, clearing his throat.

"Reno has a point, but it doesn't matter. They are going to find out anyway, so it's useless to try and keep it a secret."

"Keep what a secret?" I asked suddenly, wanting to clamp my hands over my mouth just as the words spilled out like vomit. Instead I bit my lip, avoiding the icy stare I was getting from Reno and Scarlet.

"Gya ha ha, whose that girl?" Heideggar asked, pointing to me. Tseng rolled his eyes.

"That's our newest Turk. Reeve, please continue."

"Yes, well, as Elena pointed out, we…" Reeve began before sighing deeply. It was almost as if he was struggling to get the next sentence out. "We're collapsing the Sector Seven plate." The words hit me like icy water. It took me a second to comprehend what he meant by 'collapsing the Sector Seven plate'. At that point, before I could stop myself, I stood up quickly.

"Have you gone mad?" I asked, my eyes shifting back and forth between Reeve and Tseng. Reeve looked down and Tseng gave me the look that a parent gives a child when they're about to get a major beating when they get home. Reno growled and pulled me back down in my seat by my jacket. Silence filled the room for a few moments.

"Anyway, Reno will drop the plate, sending the message to AVALANCHE that ShinRa will not tolerate this obstruction of Mako reactors. In the media aspect, it will be told that AVALANCHE is responsible for the Sector Seven plate, giving them a bad image and will hopefully cease further problems. After all, the Sector Seven slums are the supposed hideout to the faction. As for us, the rest of the day is up to you. I've been told by the President that you all are to have the rest of the day off, except Reno and Tseng, who will begin the plate mission, in a few hours. Good day. This meeting is now adjourned." And with that Reeve stomped off, the files still in his hands. I knew he was upset. Who wouldn't be? He practically designed this city and for what? To watch it fall to the ground?

It took me a few moments to stand up, though my legs felt like Jello. I couldn't believe this was happening. ShinRa would kill thousands of people in this act, surely they knew that! I mean, I knew that AVALANCHE was causing major problems for Midgar and the ShinRa…but to drop the plate where their Headquarters stood, just to get a message across? It seemed so…evil.

I walked up the stairs and back to my office, surprisingly finding Reno in there. He held a dazed stare at his weapon, an Electro-Mag Rod, not even noticing that I had walked in. I sat down at my desk and looked out the nearest window. You could actually see the top portion of Sector Seven from it. Turning back to Reno, I bit my lip.

"Reno?" I finally decided to break the silence. He looked at me, his expression blank.

"Isn't there another way?" I asked meekly, wringing my hands under my desk. The redhead sighed before standing up and walking over to my desk, leaning on the edge.

"Laney, you need to learn something about the Turks. Leave your conscience at the door. In this line of work, we don't shoot to injure. We shoot to kill. We do things that would make a normal person sick to their stomach, including killing thousands of people with a thousand ton plate. Sure, I didn't ask to have that burden to bear. But I don't have a choice do I? Those resistance bastards need to learn their lesson…and I'm just the one to do it." He stated, his eyes locking with mine the whole time. I felt the urge to cry, but I wouldn't let myself do cry in front of Reno. I looked down, biting my lip as I shook my head. Looking into his eyes, I could see that his explanation was half true. He had a tiny sense of reluctance…only a little. Not enough to really care for the Sector Seven slums' wellbeing.

"You really don't care, do you…you unimaginable bastard." I whispered, picking up my belongings and standing up to leave. I knew the water works were about to begin, so the point of staying and trying to stop them was futile. However, Reno wanted otherwise as he grabbed my wrist, preventing my escape from him. He twirled me around to face him, his nose inches from mine.

"Don't judge me for something I have to do. Put yourself in my position. You may not have been here long, but you've got a lot to learn about me, and about the Turks. I suggest you find out the facts before saying I don't care." He hissed in a dangerous tone, his eyes boring the same look as they had when we were fighting in the elevator. My breath was hitched in my throat as I jerked my wrist from his grip, and I noticed it. The reluctance I had seen in him earlier had penetrated through the harsh layer that stood in front of it…he didn't really want to do this. I swallowed loudly before shifting my gaze to the ground, leaving the room in silence. I walked to the elevator and press for the first floor.

The train ride was quick and I found myself racing to my apartment door. Unlocking it, I ran in and dropped my things on the floor before my eye caught a yellow sticky note on the fridge. I walked over and picked it up, my brown eyes scanning over the words. It was from Krystal.

"Elena! Hope work went well! I'm visiting family in Costa Del Sol for a few days. Sorry for the short notice! Have fun in the city!" it read in bold black letters. Oh, how I wanted to pack my bags and just leave this situation. The beach would've been nice too. The sun, no worries and enough cocktails to last a lifetime; but I wasn't there. I was stuck in Midgar, where a tragedy was about to occur…a tragedy that the ShinRa…my job…would inflict. Reno was right, I would be sick to my stomach.

I tearfully changed out of my uniform and into a pair of blue cotton shorts and an old college t-shirt. With bare feet, I padded back into the living room and fixed myself a drink, not even bothering to mix it with something less potent. I just wanted to drown myself in it enough to forget about the situation at hand.

Fresh tears fell from my eyes as I sat on my kitchen floor and just cried. After crying for a good hour, I drifted to sleep on my kitchen floor, my drink nestled beside me, half full.

I woke up a few hours later and immediately glanced at the clock. It was about 7 in the evening. I took a sip from my drink and stood up. Remembering, I quickly ran to T.V, turning it to the News to see if anything had happened yet. Nothing. Not a word… it was still to come. Instead, the reporter was giving news about a community picnic in Sector Eight…nothing about the events of Sector Seven.

As if on cue, a deafening loud noise pierced the area. The lights flickered on and off before turning completely off, leaving me in the dark. I crawled to the corner of the room, the noise getting louder and louder. I couldn't even hear my own thoughts, it was so loud. It was a screeching, loud bang followed by screams and yells, echoing across the night sky. Tears formed into my eyes as I clapped my hands over my ears, still hearing it as clear as day. The plate was collapsing and people were dying, this very minute…while I was in my apartment, safe and sound, working for the masterminds behind this horrible event.

The lights remained shut off for a while, which I figured they would stay that way, due to the Sector being right next to ours. The good thing was, our apartment was in the dead center of Sector Eight, meaning I didn't have to see the plate fall. Those living right next to the Sector line must have seen everything. My lip quivered as I continued to cry, curled up in that corner, my t-shirt wet with my tears and my palms sweaty.

Twenty minutes later, my cell phone buzzed loudly on the table. Apprehensively, I stood up and walked over to it, checking to see who it was. If it was anyone from ShinRa, I would refuse to answer. However, it was Krystal. I flipped the phone open and cleared my throat, wiping my eyes quickly as if I had something to hide.

"Elena!? Elena!? Did you hear the latest report? On the News?" she frantically asked. I looked around at my darkened apartment before answering.

"There's…there's no power." I whispered, trying not to give it away that I was crying. Krystal couldn't know that the fall of Sector Seven was really ShinRa's doing.

"Oh, that makes sense…Elena…Sector Seven was bombed and the plate collapsed! That resistance group dropped it on their own people! Can you believe it! You had to have heard it." She continued. At that moment, I wanted to correct her so bad, but I remember what Reno said. This was my job, like it or not…I couldn't go against them.

"I-I did. It's horrible…I can't imagine how many people's lives were lo-" I replied, only to be cut off by a loud banging at my door. Startled, I almost dropped my phone. What if someone was on to ShinRa and was coming to kill me? I stared at the door with wide eyes and walked closer to it. The knocking continued and a voice followed. A voice that sounded familiar, but pained.

"Yo, open up! I-I need help!" It was Reno, I turned to the phone.

"Krystal...I have to go, I'll call you later!" and with that I hung up, dropping the phone on the floor and opening the door to Reno. He looked terrible. His breathing was erratic and blood was running down his face, and his white shirt was covered in blood. He had gotten hurt pretty bad.

"You going to stand there all day and gawk, or are ya going to help me?" he demanded, leaning against the doorframe. I nodded quickly and ushered him into my apartment, closing the door and wrapping an arm around his waist to help him walk.

"Here, sit down on the Kitchen floor. I'll get some candles." I insisted, helping him into the Kitchen and running off to get a few candles. I returned a few seconds later with the candles, lighting them to brighten the dark room. Reno noticed them and raised an eyebrow.

"Trying to set the mood, eh?" he asked, with a smirk. Leave it to Reno to say something like that when he's critically injured. I rolled my eyes at his comment and continued inspecting the redhead's wounds.

"Reno, this looks really bad…we need to call someone. You need to get professional assistance." I told him after seeing the amount of blood he had lost.

"Nah, I'll be fine. That blonde Ex-SOLDIER got me pretty bad though. Help me get this off." he winced, trying to jerk his jacket off. I pushed his hands away and pulled the jacket off, as well as his shirt to see the damage. As much as Reno gets on my nerves…I will say this…he looked amazing without his shirt. Besides the blood, you could see toned muscles, not too bulky, but enough to serve as intimidation.

"Damn, that is bad." He admitted finally, looking down at the gash across his stomach. I stared for a few moments before leaving the Kitchen to find my cell phone. It was still on the floor, where I had dropped it. I picked it up and dialed for Tseng.

"Hello?"

"Tseng, it's…Elena. Reno is at my apartment and he's really hurt. Can we get some medical help out here?" I asked timidly. I'm sure my voice was still quivering from crying so much, but at that point, I couldn't care less. I could hear a sigh before Tseng responded.

"I don't see why he jumped off the pillar. I was a few seconds behind him. I'll send for ShinRa medical staff. What's your address?"

"3603 Ivy Meadow Drive, at the Piedmont Apartments, number 431." I answer quickly. Tseng confirmed the address and hung up. Now that the medical staff were on their way, I could relax a little bit. I walked back into the Kitchen and sat down next to Reno, with my head in my hands. I could still hear his breathing.

Taking a brave step, my eyes shifted from the cold, tiled floor, up to Reno's bare chest. A blush crept up my cheeks as I resumed my gaze up to his face. I jumped when my eyes met his in a heated stare. He didn't looked angry…he was just…staring at me. I bit my lip as he smirked at me.

"So this is the dwelling of Laney, huh? Nice place…" he stated, looking around the dimly lit room. I nodded and followed his gaze around my spotless apartment.

"Did you hear it?" he asked, striking up conversation again. I turned and looked at him with a confused look on my face.

"Hear what?"

"Don't play dumb."

"Yes…I heard it." Then tears welled up in my eyes again. I managed to look away before Reno could see it. This situation was awkward and I didn't want to deal with it anymore…I didn't want to talk about something I felt so ashamed of. I stood up to go walk around, away from the kitchen and away from Reno, but he stopped me.

"Where are you going?" he asked, gripping my wrist for the second time that day.

"I'm going to get some rest, the medical staff will be here soon."

"You can't run from it, Laney." At this point, Reno was freaking me out. What was he talking about?

"Excuse me?"

"Stopping running…and learn to cope. You're going to need to if you stay in this profession, you know."

"Fuck you, Reno…"

"You'll see…you'll see it one day, and you'll look back and realize that the only thing I've done, is give you the best fucking advice you could ask for…this is what it is 'Laney. This is what being a Turk, is all about." and with that I slammed my bedroom door. Leaning up against the white wooden barrier between me and Reno, I pressed my ear up against it, just long enough to hear him say,

"And just for your information, Laney…I did care…"

A/n: Finally another chapter out. I was actually done with this for a while, but I don't know if I like it. Let me know what you think!