Juliet peered over the countertop, assessing the situation. Two flaming heaps were embedded in the floor; Cloud, Rude, and Reno were making carefully making their way outside, weapons drawn. She looked around behind them, and noticed a backdoor with a couple of barrels in front of it.
"This way, sir." She said, grabbing Rufus's arm and leading him towards the back. Tifa crept up behind them, Denzel and Marlene close behind, and helped Juliet move the barrels. "Where does this lead?" Juliet asked in a hushed tone.
"Just into the back alley. But my car is parked back there." Tifa said quietly as she unlocked the door.
The violet haired woman readied her gunblade and peered into the alley. A man dressed in black with a red sash stood at the exit. Tifa's car was right next to the door. She looked up, no one on the roofs, no one in the windows of the building next door. Juliet quietly stepped out into the alley, and pointed her gunblade at the man.
Bang!
The man collapsed and lay motionless on the pavement.
"In the car! Hurry!" She said, motioning for Rufus to come. He was followed by Denzel, Marlene, and finally Tifa. Juliet climbed into the driver's seat, taking the keys Tifa had handed her, and turned on the engine. Then, gunning it, blazed out of the alley.
Bang! Bang Bang Bang!
Rapid gunfire was aimed in their direction. Out of the corner of her eye, Juliet could see the Turks and Cloud fighting several of the large men with red sashes.
"Interesting." Rufus said from the back seat.
"What?" Denzel asked from next to him.
Not seeming to realize he was talking to a child, Rufus continued. "Odd that they would attack in broad daylight isn't it? Bold. Especially a place that is well known to be the home of one of the best fighters on Gaia."
Tifa whirled around in her seat, glaring at Rufus. "What are you suggesting Shinra?"
"Nothing." Rufus said, taken aback by the bartender's sudden hostility. "I'm merely pointing out that it's odd. Don't you think? I mean, this place is in the center of town."
Tifa thought for a moment. "Yeah. That is odd."
"Daddy says people do stupid things when they're desperate." Marlene piped up from the back seat. "Maybe they're desperate for something."
Juliet blanched. "W-what would they be after? That's ridiculous! Maybe they thought Cloud would be gone! M-maybe what? Who would they.. That's ridiculous." She stuttered.
"I thought they were after Mr. Shinra." Marlene said confused at the woman's sudden outburst.
Juliet suddenly relaxed, turning the corner onto the road to the Shinra building. "Oh. Right." She muttered. "They're after the President. The President!"
When they arrived at the building, Rufus pointed towards the garden behind the building, telling Marlene and Denzel they could play there. Then, led by Juliet and Tifa, he made his way up to his office.
"Sir!" When they arrived at Level 8, Elena came rushing down the hall towards them. "Sir, we found something on… That thing you said to research."
Rufus gave a sideways glance at his body guard, and nodded. "My office. Juliet, Tifa, if you'll excuse me for a moment."
He followed the Turk to his office and closed the door. Tseng was there waiting, hold a file in his hand, which he immediately handed over to Rufus.
"We couldn't find much." Tseng began. "Mostly all we found, was that she isn't from Nibelheim as she previously stated, but Gongaga. Also, she owes some pretty nasty people a lot of gil."
"How much?" Rufus asked.
"All together, about 100,000." Elena answered him.
The blonde man nodded. "Find out who she owes it to and pay it off. I can't have people after her when she's protecting me. Any idea why she needed so much gil?"
"She was trying to buy something from someone. We aren't sure what. All the money went to a single person."
"Who?"
"Well, it was obviously a fake name, John Smith. When we tried to trace his account, it was a dead end. Juliet would deposit the money, immediately after, someone would come withdraw it." Tseng said, pointing out the paper with the information on it.
"I see. And no idea why she was doing this?"
"No, sir. Her life is actually pretty off the map."
Rufus nodded. "Go to Wutai. She said she worked there, see if you can find anything out there."
"Yes, sir." The Turks said in unison.
"Oh, where are Reno and Rude? And why is the bartender here?" Elena asked looking slightly confused.
"We were attacked at 7th Heaven. Juliet, Tifa, the orphans and I escaped out the back door."
Elena's mouth formed a silent "o".
"Is um… Rude, Is he okay?"
Rufus held back a smile. He was almost positive Elena and Rude had been seeing each other for quite some time. He never brought it up however. He left that to Reno. "I'm sure he's fine." He replied reassuringly. Then, feeling a bit devious he added, "Would you like him to call you to confirm he isn't missing any limbs or… other parts?"
Elena blushed a deep shade of red and shook her head. "N-no sir! I just- I-" She said, struggling to form words.
Tseng and the President exchanged knowing glances, both holding back smiles.
"Send in Juliet and Tifa on your way out please." He said, going to sit behind his desk. A few minutes later the two walked in.
"What was wrong with Elena?" His bodyguard asked, sitting down across from the President. "She looked like her head was about to explode."
Rufus smiled slightly. "Nothing, just a bit of a joke at her expense."
Tifa looked at him, eyebrow raised, "Rufus Shinra makes jokes?"
The ghost of a smile faded from the President's face. "Only if the situation warrants it Ms. Lockhart."
Just then, the door to the office burst open and in walked Reno, looking cocky as ever, followed closely by Could and Rude.
"Totally showed those little bitches who was boss!" Reno said grinning as he took the seat Tifa had just abandoned to give Cloud a hug. He put his feet on the desk, but quickly took them down when Rufus gave him a glare as cold as ice.
"Found these on them." Rude said, throwing a paper bag on the glass desk.
"Excellent." The President said, opening the bag to examine the contents. "Oh, Rude, Elena would like you to-"
"Ran into her on the way in." The Turk said quickly, ducking his head in embarrassment.
Rufus nodded, inwardly smiling as he dumped the contents on his desk. Two ID badges, a cell phone, and a wallet.
"LIGHT? What's that?" Reno asked, snatching up one of the ID badges. "Leading In a Greater Hope for Tomorrow? That doesn't even make sense yo! It should be… GTBKBS. Or… RWKYA. Now those are names!"
"Let me guess," Rude said from the corner of the room, "Going To Be Killed By Shinra and….. wait let me think… Reno Will Kick Your Ass?"
Juliet laughed and looked at Reno. "Is he right?"
"Damn right! Of course I'll kick their asses! Or their collective ass. Bastards don't stand a chance."
Cloud rolled his eyes. "Who are they?" he asked, looking over Juliet's shoulder and the items.
"Reno, take this cell phone down the Level 4. I want to know every phone call and text message that has ever been sent from this phone."
"Got it." The redhead said and began to leave the room. He was almost out when he whirled around. "Oh, sir, can I get off an hour early tonight? Got a date!" The Turk winked at Juliet.
"Who do you have a date with Reno?" Juliet asked animatedly, taking the hint.
"Her name is Rayne." He said, grinning at the woman with the purple eyes.
Rufus ignored all of this and waved his hand. "Yes. Be in by 7 tomorrow."
"Yes, sir." He said, a devious look on his face. "Hey Cloud."
The spikey haired man glanced up from the ID he was examining. "Huh?"
"Tell your cousin I'll pick her up at 6." And he took off down the hall.
A confused crossed his face, and then it registered. "SON OF A BITCH!" he shouted, taking off after Reno. They could hear Reno laughing down the hall as Cloud chewed him out.
A couple hours later, Juliet and Rufus sat alone in his office.
"Your debts have all been paid." Rufus said, reading over a note he had found in the wallet of one of the assassins. "This note seems to be in code."
The girl looked at him, eyes wide. "H-how did you find out about that?"
A ghost of a smile came across the President's face. "I know everything."
Juliet's face paled. "E-everything?"
Rufus pretended he didn't notice and continued to examine the note. "Maybe it's in another language."
Chill Juliet. All he knows about is your debt. If he knew about the other stuff, he would've….. She didn't want to think about what he would've done. So she took after the President and pretended nothing had happened.
"Let me see." She said, reaching across the desk, knocking over a glass of water and a pen holder in the process.
"Shit!" Rufus said, as the note became smeared as water seeped into it. "Damnit! Now it-"
He stopped. The ink was washing away, but it was embedding itself in dents in the paper, writing a new note.
Asa to be delivered to new home. Don't confront anymore. Too risky with Turks. Wait till next meeting. Deliver ultimatum. -LIGHT
Rufus glanced up at Juliet. Her face was white as the carpet in his office. She tapped on the desk anxiously. He could see there were a million thoughts going through her head.
"Something wrong?" he asked, watching her face carefully.
"What? No, no. nothing . Nothing is wrong I'm fine. Why would there be something wrong? Everything is okay."
Rufus frowned, but said nothing, instead he read the note over again. "Asa. Is that a name I wonder?"
"Yes! Of course it's a name!"
The President raised an eyebrow.
"I've heard it before is all. When I lived in Nibelheim."
"I see."
"Common name."
"Uh huh."
Juliet frowned at his impassive face. She couldn't tell if he believed her. But she seemed convincing. Although, that was in her own mind. She could convince herself of anything. Other people however, she was never sure.
"Gongaga." Rufus said.
"W-what?" Juliet said startled.
The President held up the ID's. "These men are from Gongaga. We'll start there."
Now she looks worried. Rufus thought, hiding back the look of satisfaction that was threatening to take over his face. We'll find out what secrets you're hiding then.
Okay you guys, sorry there SO much dialogue. Haha I'm having a little trouble transitioning into the main plot. Haha so there's a lot of talking. But I'll work it out! Just bear with me!
And sorry this chap was kinda short. =P
Also, I'm going to a friend's house for 4th of July, So I might not update until Wednesday. But I'll try to update tomorrow if I don't go anywhere. As, always, Review! =]
