holy crap is it cold out loves!!! I hope you are all staying warm in this weather! I hope this new chapter helps to warm you up. This one was inspired by the song "Weightless" bye Black Lab. Please enjoy!
Tseng stood outside the front door to the Healin Lodge waiting for Reno, Rude, and Elena to catch up with him. When he was released from the hospital we had rushed over to the lodge without hesitation, but now that he stood just inches from the door, he could barely take another step. He nervously combed his fingers through his hair and straightened his jacket.
"Tseng, buddy" Reno's outburst startled him "God, you look like this is your first day on the job. Just chill for a sec."
Tseng cleared his throat and took in a long deep breath. "Reno, in my absence have you forgotten how to address your superior."
The red head's nose crinkled at the comment. "Uhhhhhhhhhh…no sir."
"Good." Tseng straightened his tie and reached out his hand to turn the door handle. All four Turks entered the main room and acting on instinct, they all stood in a straight line and awaited orders from the president.
The whining of the motorized chair became louder as Rufus came into the room. "Tseng, Elena, welcome back. I trust you have made a full recovery."
"Yes sir." They replied simultaneously.
"Very well then. All of you, we have a very rough road ahead of us. Kadaj and his gang aren't going to wait forever and they are bound to stumble across Jenova sooner or later. We must prepare ourselves for battle." He looked over at Tseng and noticed that his grey eyes were subtly scanning the room. "Sorry to throw you and Elena into conflict so quickly but I'm afraid we need all the help we can get."
Elena's lips curled up menacingly. "No worries sir. I look forward to taking out some revenge upon those bastards."
Rufus smiled. He was glad to see that Elena had not lost her fire. "Elena I need you to go and make sure all transportation will be running perfectly. Reno and Rude, I give you permission to dig up what ever you can to use for explosives."
Reno's eyes lit up and his smile became as wide as a child in a candy store. "ALLLLLLLLLLLLLL RRRRRIGHT!!! You can count on us sir."
"You are dismissed."
Reno practically skipped out of the room as he went on his scavenger hunt for explosives. Rude calmly followed behind him. Elena walked out the front door to check on the motorcycles and the helicopter. However, Tseng remained in the room and it was no surprise to Rufus to see him standing there.
"Is there something I can help you with Tseng?"
"Well sir…I wondering…er…I mean with your permission…could I…"
"She's outside." Interrupted Rufus. Tseng was a little startled that the president knew what he was getting at. "Well don't just stand there, go see her."
"Uhh yes sir." He wasted not time in getting to back the door. He opened it anxiously and when he looked outside, He didn't see her anywhere. He followed a path that had been worn into the ground and it led him down the earthen stairs.
His eyes darted from one side to the other trying to spot her, but she was no where to be seen. He was about turn around when he spotted her standing on the little steel bridge. The wind was blowing through her silky hair and the sunlight brought out an auburn hue. She was dressed comfortably in loose fitting navy Capri pants and a white tank top with horizontal matching stripes. She was looking up at the azure sky and her expression was serene. The first thought he had was just to wait for her to notice him. She looked like she didn't want to be disturbed, but his body acted faster than his brain and he called out her name.
Shazz turned in the direction of the voice and her eyes stared in disbelief. "Tseng?" He smiled as soon as she spoke his name and Shazz responded with a smile as equally as bright as the sun. Without hesitation, Shazz rushed over to Tseng and she threw her arms around him. "Tseng! I can't believe you're here! I was so worried!"
Tseng winced as Shazz's body collided with his. She could feel his body recoil a little and she immediately pulled away from him. "I'm so sorry Tseng, are you still hurt?"
"No not really" he forced a grin and patted his chest "My ribs are just a little tender that's all."
The happy look on the young woman's face quickly disappeared. She remembered that Tseng had returned from being held captive and she knew his injuries must be great. "Be honest with me, how badly did they hurt you?"
"Please don't worry Shazz. It's not as bad as you think. It took me a few days to recover at the hospital…"
"Hospital? You mean you were here?"
Tseng wanted to take back those words more than anything at this point but his silence wasn't going to make the situation better. "Yes, but it was only for a little while."
"Why didn't you send for me?"
"Because I couldn't let you see me like that. Shazz, I was pretty messed up and the last thing I wanted to do was make you worry anymore than you already have."
Shazz turned away from him and headed back towards the bridge. She propped her elbows on the banister and rested her chin on her hands. "So you would go so far as to protect me from yourself?"
The way she turned from him had cut deep. He had no intention of hurting her. "Shazz, it's not like that at all. Maybe a little part of me wanted to protect you, but it was my pride that kept me from you." Tseng approached her cautiously. He stood by her side and even though she didn't look up at him, he never took his eyes off her. "I was supposed to look after you, but instead I leave and I ended up being captured. Because of my mistake you were forced to live with a man you hate and for that I'm truly sorry."
Shazz sighed and shook her head "Don't be stupid Tseng. I know you were just doing your job and it's not your fault that Kadaj got his hands on you. Did you actually think that I would fault you for doing what had to be done?"
"No, but Shazz I…"
"It's ok Tseng." Her eyes peered up at him and he was relieved to see that there was no anger behind them. "Yes, I had hoped that I would never have to lay my eyes on Rufus for as long as I lived but circumstances change. It was hard at first but Rude was always there silently looking out for me and Reno, even though he was a huge pain in my side, carried out your orders to keep me safe. Tseng I'm not the same girl I once was and I'm ready to move forward. I'm no longer afraid of Rufus."
She gave him a half smile and Tseng took this as a sign that it was ok to stand closer to her. "Yes I can see that. I'm glad you overcame your fear, but I wouldn't have blamed you if you decided to leave. In fact, I expected that you would."
Shazz bit her lower lip and her brown eyes looked up into his nervously "Would you believe me…if I told you the reason I didn't leave…was because of you." Tseng let out a little gasp as his eyes widened. A warm feeling began to run through his body and he wanted to say something back to her but he couldn't find the words. His silence was unnerving so Shazz filled it overwrought ramblings. "It's true you know. If I wanted to leave I would have just gone, but I knew this would be the first place you would go when you came back. I just….I just wanted to be here when you came home."
Tseng thought the whole world had gone silent. He heard nothing but the pounding of his heart and he saw nothing but himself reflected in her deep brown eyes. He ran the lines over and over in his head of what he wanted to say to her, but he couldn't even open his mouth. Suddenly he felt her hand upon his cheek and it felt like she was brushing something away.
"Tseng are you ok? Are your ribs hurting you? What's wrong?"
The Turk reached up and touched his damp cheek. Had really been crying? He was looking at Shazz and her eyes were filled with concern. "No, nothing hurts. Shazz…I've waited so long…I wanted to tell you…but I didn't think you…"
He was stopped short of finishing his thought when a pair of soft lips brushed across his. Thin arms wrapped themselves around his neck and she crushed her body against his. Trimmers traveled down his spine as Shazz twirled her fingers around his dark hair. Again Tseng's body reacted quicker than his mind. He could feel himself pull her closer to himself but all the while he couldn't quite comprehend that his was really happening
Just before the kiss went any deeper, Shazz pulled herself away. She giggled bashfully as she tucked her hair behind her ear. "Sorry, I guess the proper thing would have been to tell you that I loved you before I kissed you."
"It's ok, its not like I'm complaining….wait…you love me?"
Shazz looked up at him curiously "Well I thought the kiss made it obvious, but if you need clarification…"
"NO…no I get it. It's just, I've loved you for sometime now and I was nervous to tell you because I didn't want to make things complicated. To be honest, I'm a little embarrassed that it was you who took the first steps." Tseng blushed a little as he scratched the back of his head.
" I know that a relationship between us isn't going to be easy. I mean Rufus isn't going to like it."
"Cloud definitely isn't going to like it."
"So where do we go from here?" Asked Shazz as she moved in closer to Tseng
"I guess we should just take things slow and keep it quiet for now." He said as he took her hand and their fingers intertwined.
"Yeah you're right. We shouldn't rush into anything right now. Considering the circumstances."
"Of course. I have to admit Shazz, you're better at this whole relationship thing than I am."
Shazz's free hand traveled up the lapel of his jacket, grabbed a hold of his tie, and pulled it so his face would come closer to hers. "Oh you'll find out that I'm better at a lot more things than you are?"
"Oh yeah?" Tseng said with a smile as their lips began to close in on one another. Just as they were about to make contact, a bitterly cold wind blew in between them. Both of them looked at each other and Shazz started to laugh. "I uhh guess we forgot about one other person."
"Yes I suppose you're right." Tseng grinned as looked up at the sky. "I think he took us seriously when we said we would take it slow."
Shazz sighed and her eyes rolled up towards the heavens. "Fine, have it your way. Slow it is." This time Shazz hugged Tseng close to her and she melted into his strong embrace. She didn't want this moment to end and as soon as that thought crossed her mind, she heard footsteps approaching.
She groaned because she was sure it was Reno coming to take Tseng from her. When she peered around Tseng, she didn't see her annoying friend, instead a man dressed in black leather, bulky build, and gleaming silver hair was quickly coming closer.
Tseng could feel her body stiffen against his and he knew right away that something was wrong. He whipped his body around and pushed Shazz behind him. His eyebrows furrowed and his lips curled into a snarl. "Loz." He said in a low voice.
The other man snickered "Tseng, it's been awhile since we've played and I'm not sure if you're up for another round. Just hand over the girl and I won't break another set of ribs."
"You will not lay a finger on her." Tseng roared as he reached into his holster to pull out his gun
Shazz looked over Tseng's shoulder and she could see that Loz was charging his weapon. Her eyes wondered over to Tseng and his face made it clear that he was still in pain and she knew he was in no shape for a battle.
Loz launched himself towards Tseng and to Shazz it seemed like the whole thing was happening in slow motion. She could plainly see that Tseng wasn't moving fast enough to dodge the attack and the way Loz was coming at him, the hit was going to be brutal. She couldn't let him get hurt. She step out from behind him and with all that she had, she shoved Tseng out of the line of fire.
Unfortunately Shazz didn't have time to get out of the way and she could feel an intense burn as Loz's weapon came in contact with her back.
"Dammit." Loz muttered through clenched teeth as he retracted his dual hound.
Tseng picked himself off the ground and all the while he was holding on to his chest. He turned to see what happened and he found a motionless Shazz lying on the ground.
"Shazz!" His body was trembling as he looked at her "What did you do to her? You BASTARD!!!" He pointed his gun at Los and started to walk towards him when a he felt a hand grab his ankle. Tseng looked down and saw that Shazz had a hold of him. Grateful that she was still alive, he knelt down beside her and gathered her up in his arms.
The poor girl reached up and laid a hand upon his cheek. She opened her mouth to speak and Tseng leaned in closer so she wouldn't have to strain herself. "It's ok Tseng." She whispered "I'll be alright. They're not going to do anything to me…not yet. So don't risk your life needlessly. Let me go with him."
"Shazz I can't…"
She managed to left her head and she placed a kiss upon his cheek. "Please Tseng…it's the only I can do."
Tseng wanted to protest again, but something in her eyes stopped him. He swallowed back the lump in his throat "Loz." was all that he managed to get out. The brute walked up and snatched the girl out of his hands. For a brief moment the two men's eyes locked and Tseng let him know that this wasn't over.
Loz threw Shazz over his shoulder as if she was nothing but a sack of potatoes. She let out a stifled cry but she didn't really expect him to care.
Tseng silently followed Loz as the headed back to the house.
Everyone was gathered in the main room as Kadaj told them that he was no longer going to wait because the time for the reunion was long since over due. He demanded that mother be returned to him immediately or things were about to turn ugly.
When Loz entered the room, all heads turned towards the young woman that was hanging on his shoulder. Rufus looked at Tseng, who had made his way to this side, and the look in his eyes told him that Shazz must have been hurt.
"Kadaj, what is the meaning of this." Shouted the president
The young vessel looked towards his brother and he shook his head in disappointment as a parent might do if their child had done something wrong. "Oh Loz what am I going to do with you? Would it kill you to play nice with others for once."
"Sorry Kadaj, she just got in the way."
Kadaj walked behind Loz and took Shazz's face into his gloved hand. She winced as he lifted her head up so he could have a better look at her. "This will never do, she's an absolute mess." He looked over at Elena and snapped his fingers at her "You! Take her and get her cleaned up."
Elena looked over at Rufus and he silently nodded his head. She walked over the Loz and helped support Shazz as he sat her down on the ground.
The two women headed upstairs to Shazz's room and when they got inside, she sat Shazz down on the bed and she went into the bathroom to get a warm washcloth. Shazz tried taking her tattered shirt off but the pain in her back made it hard for her to raise her arms above her head.
"Here, let me help." Elena gave the rag to Shazz and she gently pealed off the shirt. She looked at the wound and sigh with relief. "Well I know hurts like hell but its not as bad as it feels. It looks like he held back when he realized that he was going to hit you. The doctor gave me some salve for my burns so this should do the trick."
Elena sat behind her and started to apply the ointment. Shazz shivered a little as the cold salve came in contact with her skin, but it wasn't nearly as cold as the tone Elena was taking with her.
"If you're thinking that there is some sort of alliance going on between me and Kadaj you're wrong. He wants me dead just like everyone else."
"Oh really? You expect me to believe that even though my superior was out there to fight and you willingly took the hit instead of him. You who sides with those we fought against."
Shazz let out a sigh of frustration. She was right when she said that no one was going to like the fact that her and Tseng were a couple, but she didn't think that she would have to defend their relationship so soon. "Can't you see we are no longer enemies. We are all fighting a new and dangerous one."
Elena got up from the bed and stood in front of Shazz. "Then why? Why do something so incredibly stupid. You know Tseng could have taken him. What the hell were you thinking?"
"I was thinking that I didn't want to see him get hurt. For so long he has protected me and I'm sure you are well aware of that. I just couldn't let him keep getting hurt because of me."
Elena stood there stunned. She had a feeling that her superior had cared for the girl but for a long time she thought it was just one sided. She would be lying if she denied that she had some pent up animosity towards Shazz but it was hard to hold a grudge when she realized Tseng's feelings were returned.
The blonde Turk sighed heavily "Well you sitting there half naked isn't going to help us so what can I get you."
"There's a white tank in my top drawer. I figure it's loose fitting enough so it won't irritate my wound. Also, could you bring me that small box sitting on top of my dresser."
Elena gathered up the items and brought them over. She helped Shazz slip on her shirt and tied the straps into tight bows that hung on her shoulders. Meanwhile, Shazz opened the box and took out a gold necklace.
"Wait, where did you get that?" Elena asked as her eyes fell upon pendent that dangled from the chain.
Shazz peered down at the necklace that was already hanging from her neck. "Oh this? This is Zack's medal. Tseng had it made into a necklace so I could where it whenever I wanted."
The smile on Shazz's face that appeared as she looked at the medal made Elena realize that there was definitely something going on. "So this is serious…you and Tseng?"
"I know it sounds crazy Elena, but I care for him deeply and I'll take heat from both sides if it means that I can be with him."
There was a silent understanding between the two women but this moment didn't last for long. There was a pounding on the door and they heard Loz yelling at them to hurry up.
Elena helped Shazz to her feet and she was feeling sturdy enough to make it to the door on her own. As soon as she opened it, Loz grabbed her and flung her back up on his broad shoulders. Instinct told Elena to fight but Shazz shook her head no and Elena stood down. Loz sneered at her helplessness and he headed down the stairs.
He brought her over to Kadaj and he proceeded to bind her hands and legs with a leather strap. As he was tying her hands, he leaned in and whispered in her ear "I figured you wouldn't object to be being tied up, in fact, I know you've enjoyed it."
The young woman's cheeks became flushed with color. It was bad enough that Kadaj inherited Sephiroth's skills, did he also have to inherit his memory?
Kadaj turned to face the angry crowd. "You know the drill Mr. President. I'll see you in Sector 7."
As the boys in black leather turned to leave, Tseng stepped forward and yelled "Wait! Why are you taking her?"
A low maniacal laugh escaped Kadaj's lips "Did you think that I would trust you to come on your own free will without a little leverage. So you better show up on time because every hour I'm kept waiting is an hour I'm left alone with her? Just think of all the nasty things I could do her in that amount time."
Tseng lurched forward but Elena was quick to hold him back. All the while Kadaj's mocking laughter filled the room.
"Don't be late." He chuckled as him and his gang left the Lodge and slammed the door behind them.
