Let's just all pretend that this chapter didn't take as long as it did. Imaginatioooon.

BEGIN CHAPTER

Skyla stared at Tai in disbelief, who was fidgeting with her hair. Tai glanced nervously about her office, looking for a means of escape. "Um… I… have to go to the bathroom."

"I'll help you." Skyla stated through gritted teeth. Rufus cleared his throat in the doorway, staring at his slacking excuses for employees.

"I don't think that's part of your job description, Skyla. When you're finished here, I need to see you in my office." He glanced over at Reno, who was staring angrily at the floor like it'd done something horrible to him. "What are you doing here, Reno? Shouldn't you be, I don't know, working? I don't pay you to gawk at the floor." Rufus shook his head and left. Skyla hurried Tai out and into the ladies' room.

"You SLEPT with TSENG?!" Skyla crossed her arms and waited for an explanation.

"Sssh, keep it down! I don't need the whole world to know." Tai avoided eye contact, letting out a heavy sigh. "Yes, I slept with him."

"Did you even go to the spa on Sunday?"

"Y-yes…" Tai looked up, meeting Skyla's eyes, calling her out on her bullshit. "No…"

"You stayed at Tseng's? Great Behemoth, Tai. What did you guys even do all day?"

"… Each other…" Tai gave a small smile, shrugging slightly. "I looked all over his place for your picture frame though, and I couldn't find it anywhere! But, I did find this nice silverware." Tai pulled some very fancy silver forks out of her purse, obviously pleased with herself.

"You go over to a guy's house and sleep with him, then come back with forks?"

"Not just forks…" Tai pulled out some spoons and knives that matched. "I have a complete set!"

"Unbelievable. You are so beyond unbelievable to me right at this moment. So you're sure you didn't see the frame?"

"I'm positive. Rufus must have taken it home." Tai shrugged. One of the stalls opened suddenly, door slamming into the wall and bouncing back. An infuriated Elena stopped it inches from hitting her. Tai and Skyla stared, waiting for her to leave or yell or… something. She chose to do the something, slapping Tai hard across her left cheek.

"You stay away from Tseng! You had no right, you nasty little tramp! He only slept with your skanky ass because he felt sorry for you!" She slapped Tai again, who returned the gesture.

"Well, you shouldn't have been getting freaky with another guy at the club! It's your own damn fault, you two-faced, back-stabbing bitch! And for your information, he wanted me; he was the one who asked me up to his place and stuck his tongue in my mouth." The two started yelling over each other, making it hard to decipher their conversation. Then it got violent, each woman smacking and punching the other, pushing one another against the stalls and walls. Skyla quickly made her way out, running through the hallways.

"TROLL! TROLL IN THE BATHROOM!" A few people had gathered, staring at her in confusion.

"What?" Reno shook his head at her, muttering something about her probably being the troll she was referring to. Skyla made a mental note to be sure to beat his smug little face in for that comment later. Rude, standing off to Reno's side, raised an eyebrow in Skyla's direction.

"I'm kidding, it's just Elena. She and Tai are beating the shit out of each other. I need backup." The duo followed Skyla to the bathroom, where Tai was straddling Elena's back, using her blonde coworker's hair to repeatedly bash her face into the marble floor.

"Whoa, Tai, what the fuck? Calm down, calm down!" Reno dragged Tai, who was literally kicking and screaming, off of Elena just as they heard a sick popping sound and a gush of crimson began flowing from Elena's nose. Reno drew her over to the corner, placing his body between her and the rest of the bathroom. He didn't want Tai lunging for Laney again, especially since she'd already done quite the number on her.

Reno glanced over his shoulder. Rude was helping Elena up, Skyla frantically gathering paper towels to help staunch the blood flow. She shoved them into the silent man's hands, rushing out of the bathroom to go and get additional aid. Reno turned his attention back to Tai. She was still fuming, arms crossed across her (very generous) chest, which was rising and falling rapidly with heated breaths. Her hair was tousled, haphazardly framing her bright pink cheeks.

She looked fucking amazing.

Reno squeezed his eyes shut tight for a moment, trying to get his head on straight. Now was not the time to be thinking of sex, of all of the things he'd like to do to her right then and there. He wanted to make her look that way, but not from anger. No, no, no, quite the opposite.

Only… Only Tseng had already beat him to it. That weekend. An angry, burning sensation flamed in his stomach, lighting a path up into his chest. Reno opened his eyes, forcing himself to push his murderous thoughts aside (after all, he had no right; Tai wasn't his, and she was free to fuck who she pleased) and focus on the situation at hand.

"Tai, what the fuck has gotten into you? You never fight, yo. Why the fuck now?" Reno growled down at Tai, unintentionally sounding gruffer than he meant to. Tai glared up at him. Her usually light gray eyes had darkened considerably with rage, which was now directed at the red-head in front of her.

"She fucking started it! That dumb bitch slapped me first! Like I'm gonna take any of her shit! Not my fault he wanted me instead, can you blame him?" Tai snarled. She was beyond pissed. How dare Elena accuse her of being a whore? Sure, it was a word she knew all too well, but she wasn't the one going to the club, grinding against strangers. Besides, her and Tseng were (pretty much) done when Tai had slept with him.

Tai was so caught up in her internal monologue that she completely missed how close Reno was standing to her, the way his arms caged her in on either side, the slow movement of him leaning forward and down, inching closer to her face. Before she had time to notice, to react, she felt his lips pressed against hers. Softly, gently at first, but quickly moving beyond that. Tai's thoughts halted, a warm, fuzzy fog creeping over her head and down through her limbs as she returned the kiss.

"Reno, get the fuck off of her! This isn't the time to be making your move, moron! Do that again, and you'll end up like Elena." Skyla scowled at him, her fists clenched beside her. Reno was more than irritated at this point, and was ready to say something when Rufus sauntered in behind Skyla. He took in Elena, who was pressing handfuls of bloody paper towels to her face, and Tai, whose hair was a mess and clothes disorderly, but otherwise unharmed.

"Tai, Elena, to my office. Now. Everyone else can follow suit as well." Rufus took one last look, shaking his head and murmuring about how the blood marred his expensively polished floors, before leaving to wait in his office. There was an eerie silence in the room as everyone waited for someone to make the first move. Reno straightened himself and held his arm out for Tai to take, trying to ignore the desire to run his fingers through her hair and continue the kiss Skyla had so rudely interrupted. He made a mental note to pick up where he had left off later.

Tai, who was still feeling a little foggy, accepted his outstretched arm and let him guide her along (mostly because her legs were a little weak from that kiss). She couldn't bring herself to look up at him, forgetting her anger for a moment. The moment was quickly lost when she stole a glance at Elena, who was glaring at her openly. Skyla opened the door and held it for Reno to push Tai through, while Rude stayed with Elena to allow some space between the two.

Everyone walked in silence to the elevator, then to Rufus's office, no one knowing what to say. Tai wondered if she should feel bad, because she didn't. That bitch deserved what she got. If she truly cared for Tseng, she wouldn't have disregarded his feelings like she had. Tseng was an adult anyway, he could decide things for himself. And Tai had thoroughly enjoyed his choice, many times. As they filed into the office, Elena on one side and Tai on the other, Rufus spun around in his chair to look at them.

"Who would like to explain what happened first?" His eyes shifted between the two, waiting for one of them to speak up. They settled on Skyla, though he wasn't expecting her to talk. She had been staring at him but quickly averted her gaze once he met hers.

"Well, Skyla and I were in the bathroom talking about..." Tai let out a sigh, trying to collect herself before dropping the bomb; everything about it broke company policy. "We were talking about how I had slept with Tseng, and Elena was in there listening, but we didn't know. She was furious and she slapped me, and it just kind of escalated. She had no right to get angry with me though because they were done for anyway!" Tai started to get angry all over again just replaying the fight in her mind.

"I see… Elena, what do you have to say on the matter?" Rufus let his eyes linger on Skyla a moment longer before looking to Elena, who was sulking next to Rude, her hands still holding a paper towel to her nose.

"The slut slept with my Tseng! I couldn't help myself!" Elena looked at Rufus with despair. Skyla let out a disgusted snort and shook her head.

"Your Tseng? He is a human being, not an object. Besides, you gave up the right to claim him when you were all over those guys at the club. Just shut up and get over yourself." Skyla shrugged as Elena glowered at her. Rufus sighed and clamped the bridge of his nose.

"Do I need to get someone in here to reinforce the 'Do Not Bring Personal Life to Work' rule that has always been set in place? Or perhaps the "Do Not Date Your Co-Workers", which you were also aware of?" Everyone simultaneously shuddered and shook their heads, remembering when he brought in someone to reinforce the "Do Not Bring Pets to Work" rule, and the lack of pets any of them had thereafter. "That's what I thought. Now, I'm going to let this one slide because I'm feeling generous today, but see to it that it doesn't occur again."

Everyone nodded and made to leave, but Rufus held up a hand, indicating that he wasn't finished speaking yet. "A quick announcement before you get back to work, which you'd better do when I excuse you all..." Rufus looked pointedly at Skyla and Tai, who grinned sheepishly. "We will be having the Annual Ball in exactly 2 weeks. It is strictly formal, attendance is required, and I expect you all to be on your best behavior…" Again, Rufus looked pointedly at Tai and Skyla. "All of the most important business partners of ours will be there, people who may be partners in the future, and important community members. Now, get back to work."

Everyone turned and began filing out the door, thinking about the outfits they'd have to be searching for. He sure had a bad habit of giving them important news on short notice.

"Oh, Skyla, stay behind." Rufus called before she could fully exit his office. "I would like to have a word with you."

"Um, sure…" Skyla glanced at Tai, who was giving her a questioning look. Skyla shrugged, unsure of what it could mean. She hoped it didn't have anything to do with the picture frame. Please, oh please, let it have nothing to do with that blasted frame.

"So, sir… What is this about?" Skyla inquired once she had shut the door behind the last Turk.

Rufus studied her for a second, eyes lazily searching her features for something unknown before he finally spoke. "It's simply about the ball. It would appear peculiar if I were to show up to my own event alone, don't you think? Rhetorical, don't speak." Rufus held up a finger as Skyla opened her mouth to answer, causing her to promptly snap it shut. He really shouldn't ask if he didn't expect her to say something, dammit.

Rufus stood up, circling around his desk to stop in front of his employee. "This is why, I believe, it would be best if I escorted you to the ball. You have more sense of decorum than your partner and Elena, and the other employees, skilled as they may be, do not possess any source of interest for me. Please consider your attire accordingly, as you'll be a center of attention. For the beginning of the evening, at least. That will be all. You are excused."

Skyla stood rooted to her spot for a moment, stunned. What the hell just happened? Did Rufus, bearer of all that is sexy in this world, seriously just ask her to the ball? Well, told her, but hey, who was keeping track?

She was going to the Annual Ball with the mother fucking president.

Rufus raised an eyebrow at her, snapping her out of her elated reverie and back into reality. Skyla gave a curt nod of understanding before making her exit, shutting the door softly behind her. Checking to make sure the coast was clear, she then bolted to the elevator, rapidly pressing the button for descent.

The elevator didn't move nearly fast enough for Skyla's tastes. The moment the door slid open to reveal her division's familiar hallway, she took off, landing breathless in front of Tai's desk. Her petite partner peered up at her, a bemused smile beginning to spread across her features.

"I take it everything went well up there?" Tai asked, her voice light and playful.

"Well doesn't even BEGIN to cover it! Tai, you will never guess. Go on, try! No, don't. Because you will really never guess. You just won't."

Tai's eyebrows shot up at her friend's enthusiasm. Skyla hadn't been so excited for quite a long time. She was anxious to hear what exactly had put her in such a state. Unless that something had to do with banging their boss, in which case, she'd rather leave that in the dark, shadowy corner it belonged.

"Tai, I'm going to the ball with him! Isn't that simply FANTASTIC?! Well, isn't it?" Skyla waited expectantly for Tai's reaction.

"Eeeeeeek! Ohmehgosh, that's great, Skyla! How did he ask?!" Tai bounced happily in her chair. As Skyla relayed, word for word, what the President had said, Tai's bouncing ceased, replaced instead with a befuddled expression.

"Wait, let me get this straight. So you're telling me that our President TOLD you that you'd be his date? What the fuck? Way to go, Romeo." Tai leaned back in her chair, unimpressed.

"Who cares? All that matters is that I'm going to the ball with him. I'm going to be his date. People are going to see us, out in public, together. They'll all realize immediately how absolutely perfect we are together, Rufus will be convinced that I'm totally the one for him, and the night will end in hot, steamy sex in his ginormous master bedroom. And you know it's huge, just like his dick. It will be perfect." Skyla stared dreamily off into the distance, missing the half-hearted way Tai rolled her eyes. She was happy for her friend, because Behemoth knew how long Skyla had been fantasizing about this day, but Tai simply did not like the business-like way Rufus had gone about the ordeal.

But then again, Skyla was always complaining about how Tai was uselessly romantic. This was probably just one of those times where her high standards for love imposed on reality a bit too impossibly.

"Well, I'm happy for ya Sky. It's gonna be great. And of course, ya know what this means," Tai grinned.

Skyla snapped back to the present. "No, what?"

"We're going to have to go shopping, silly! I've been hunting for an excuse to get a new pair of shoes, and this occasion just screams, 'Tai, you'd be a dumbass not to!', doesn't it? Plus, there's this totally high-end new boutique I want to hit up. Bam, reason to just landed in our lap!" Tai clapped her hands together, already anticipating the fun they were going to have.

Skyla smiled and went to her office, grabbing her bag and meeting her friend at the elevator. Tai pressed the button (probably too many times) to go down to the floor with the new addition. When the doors slid open, Skyla followed her friend into the boutique, letting her eyes scan the many mannequins and their flashy attire. This was definitely where they needed to be to find their outfits.

"Hey Sky, pay attention, yo!" Tai waved her hand in front of her friend and pointed to a section of dresses she thought would be suitable for her friend. "You look through those, I'm gonna go over here and check these out."

Skyla scanned each piece with little interest, finding things that were either too simple or too glitzy. She sighed after going through half the gowns, looking around for her friend. As she was weaving through the racks, she clumsily bumped into one and nearly knocked it over. But in the process, she managed to find a gown that caught her eye. She took it off the rack and studied it, then made for the dressing room.

Tai had already picked out several gowns and was waiting for Skyla anxiously. Tai made a face at her friend. "You only found one? Really? It's a good thing I picked some out for you too, then. C'mon." She and Skyla made for one of the large dressing rooms, as they always did. It was easier to share a room then have to continually go in and out of theirs to search for each other's approval.

Tai handed Skyla some of the gowns she'd picked out, and they each slid into one. They repeated this several times, making faces and pointing out the downsides of each. Skyla decided to skip to the gown she'd chosen, easing into it and situating it before looking herself over in the mirror. It was a blood red strapless gown with a deep plunging neckline (she was thankful for her slightly large bust to hold it up) and a long slit up the side, stopping just short of her hip. She may as well be wearing nothing; just how she liked it. She turned for Tai to see and automatically met a smile.

"Wow Skyla! That looks perfect on you! Bet Rufus is gonna love that," Tai winked at her, then ordered her to do the twirl test. The dress clung to Skyla, save for some of the bottoml, which was loose in contrast to the rest of the slinky gown. "You totally need some long gloves for that. Now I just need to find something." Tai sighed and searched through the remainder of the dresses hanging up. "Pick a number one through five."

"Four." Skyla let her eyes scan her gown again before sliding it off. Tai grabbed the dress corresponding with Skyla's pick, and slipped it on. After making sure she wouldn't encounter any wardrobe malfunctions, she turned and studied herself. It was a form-fitting deep blue strapless mermaid, with sheer shimmering material cascading from the back to pool around her on the floor. Skyla stared at her friend with amazement. "That is definitely the one."

"You think?" Tai spun around slowly, deciding her friend was right.

"You'll need gloves too then, now that that's settled. Let's go find some! And maybe we can indulge ourselves in some jewelry." Skyla winked at Tai, who smiled in return. "I'll pay, mostly because I need to get rid of some of the gil I won when I was drunk." Skyla shrugged at Tai, who was shaking her head. "Well, at least I'm not going to be spending any of my paycheck! I'm bringing gil in, how can that be bad?"

"I guess it isn't. I just wish it wasn't from gambling, and that you didn't drink every time. I just worry about ya, is all," Tai replied offhandedly. She really was concerned. This was her best friend, after all.

Skyla smiled. She knew Tai had nothing but good intentions for her. "I know, but you still worry too much. It isn't like I do it every day. Reno is the one with the problem, if it's anyone."

Tai glanced over, frowning deeply. "Yea, I know. But I can't do anything there. He doesn't listen to me…"

Skyla could see the despair creeping in and quickly changed the subject. "So, we have the gowns. Accessories next, yes? I'll definitely need your help, you know I'm useless at this."

Tai nodded, mustering a small smile at the thought of all the glorious shopping they still had yet to do. The two gathered their gowns and headed out, searching through the gloves and each finding a pair. Then off to the jewelry section they went.

"I think… you need… This!" She pointed to a diamond collar that was smaller and simpler than everything else in the display case. It wasn't as flashy as some of the others, sure, but it fit perfectly with what Tai was planning on wearing. It would complement the lavish design of her dress without making it look gaudy or overdone.

"That's perfect! And these to go with it," Tai gestured towards a pair of petite, elegant diamond studs. Skyla nodded, giving a thumbs up sign.

"Now, for you…" Tai quickly scanned the contents before them, finally deciding on a teardrop-shaped garnet surrounded by a tiny frame of diamonds on a long white gold chain. It was exactly the kind of necklace Skyla would have overlooked, and it just happened to be exactly what the plunging neckline of her dress needed. It would hang low enough to draw attention to that little detail, but not so low as to get lost between her boobs. Tai also selected some matching diamond studs for Skyla.

After selecting some shoes and spending nearly all of Skyla's drunken winnings, the two left to head back to the office. They didn't want to stay gone too long or someone would notice and chew them out. Why no one expected this kind of behavior from them was still a mystery. They constantly let work fall by the wayside in favor of other adventures; it shouldn't be a surprise to anyone really. Yet they still somehow managed to get (the majority of) their work done… most of the time.

They returned to their floor, having discussed what to do with their gowns on the way up. They had agreed on the broom/utility closet that was practically nonexistent near the break room (well, what was once considered the break room, before Tai and her fiery kitchenette mishaps). They hung them up with care, putting their bags underneath some old rug that had been carelessly thrown in there. They hurried back to their offices and pretended to be productive, too busy imagining the exciting event that was just on the horizon.

Tai was in the midst of a daydream, staring at her screen with a blank expression, when Tseng knocked on her door. She startled and looked up, happy for any distraction from work. "Do you have a moment?" Tseng politely inquired, standing in the doorframe and waiting patiently for her to welcome him in. Tai nodded, indicating with a tilt of her head a seat across from her desk for him to take.

"What's up? I was actually working, I promise!" Tai made a small smile, hoping he wouldn't see through her lie (though everyone who really knew her could) and that he was just here for a lovely chat.

"Oh, I'm not here about your work, for now." He gave her an exasperated look, knowing he'd have to back later to lecture her for lack of efficiency. "I actually was just wondering if you might take a walk with me, for just a moment."

"So you're encouraging me to slack off?" Tai gave him a mischievous smile, waggling her eyebrows.

"No. Not in the slightest. This is actually required, which if you deny, will put you on more weekend duty." Tseng lightly replied, face serious. Tai stared at him blankly, all of her good humor lost. "... I'm joking, Tai. It was a joke."

Tai sighed, shaking her head ever so slightly and rising from her desk chair. "Tseng, sweetie, I hate to be the one to break it to ya, but you aren't very good at that. Kidding around, I mean. You probably shouldn't attempt that anymore."

"Duly noted." Tseng placed a hand on Tai's back and led her from the office. They journeyed down to a small courtyard in the middle of the ShinRa building, taking a seat on a bench that was built around the base of a large tree. After an amount of time had passed (in which a few unspeakable things may have occurred), Tai straightened up and gazed into the branches above her.

"I've always loved it here." Tai mused breathily. She quickly glanced over at Tseng, adding, "Not that I come here often because I'm so hard at work and all."

Tseng shook his head, gazing wearily at her. "Of course. Which is why I am constantly reprimanding you on not getting anything done, right? If you do actually start applying yourself, you'll be given field work again, you know."

"It would be nice to get out of the office and actually know what the sky looks like again…" Tai giggled at the way Tseng rolled his eyes at that. It really would be great to be back out on a mission again. Skyla and Tai had been confined to their offices for some months now. They were literally the only Turks on the force who didn't get sent out and it was starting to make her a bit stir crazy.

"Well I want you to think on that seriously, Tai. But that isn't really the reason I brought you down here. I wanted to talk to you about this formal event the President is hosting. You haven't yet procured an escort, correct?"

"Um...no, not exactly… I mean, I did JUST find out, Chief." Tai looked at him with furrowed eyebrows. What did that have to do with anything? He looked down at her, his eyes searching hers for something even he wasn't aware of. Tai blushed and looked away, suddenly uneasy from the attention.

"That is true, I suppose. Well, could I...could I perhaps take you then?" Tseng was watching Tai, gauging her reaction to the question and whether she'd say yes or leave him to go stag. Tai blinked a few times, nervously brushing at some invisible spot on her leg.

"Oh, yea, that'd be nice." Tai smiled up at Tseng, who returned the smile and nodded.

"Great. I hate to leave, but I have to get back to work. As do you." Tseng stood and straightened his suit, walking swiftly back towards the office. Tai sat there for a while after he'd left. Here she had been complaining to herself that Skyla had been asked in the least romantic way possible, but she had been a close runner up herself. She finally headed back to her work, grudgingly. Skyla was sure to get a kick out of this one.

Tai found herself in Skyla's office, sitting on the edge of the desk. "So...Tseng just took me down to the beautiful bench under the tree, the spot I really love."

"Oh, for the love of Behemoth, don't tell me you guys did the nasty there too…"

"What? No!" Tai couldn't keep the furious blush that had stained her cheeks, but Skyla gave her the stare that said she knew Tai was lying. "Well...maybe, but other stuff happened as well! He asked me to the ball."

"Why did you all have to do it there as well? I think that is now my least favorite place." Skyla shook her head, clearing it of Tai's sexual antics.

"Anyway, how did he ask? Was it romantic?" Skyla was smiling at Tai, somewhat glad Tseng had asked instead of the office idiot… Reno.

Tai eagerly continued with the details. "Well...not exactly, but it was still more romantic than Rufus. At least he took me somewhere he knew I liked."

"Yea, I guess he isn't the romantic type, huh?" Skyla shrugged. "I'm sorry though, that blows. But hey, at least you got a date!"

Reno stood just outside the doorway, out of sight. He was scowling at the wall opposite, his fists clenched in his pockets. He didn't really have any right to be upset though, right? He hadn't been quick enough in asking; he should have went to her the moment they'd left the President's office. He'd waited too long, though, mulling over the options he had: Monica, Allison, Jessica-with-the-nice-rack, Jessica-with-the-great-legs, blah, blah, blah. Tai had repeatedly popped up, but the feeling he got thinking about taking her made him uncomfortable; it was too unusual. But for fuck's sake, did Tseng really have to screw her again to ask her to go? He sighed and made his way to the elevator, continuing on with his work despite the intense irritation he felt.

END CHAPTER

Hope you enjoyed! You know the spiel; rate, review, message as you see fit. The next chapter is soon to follow (seriously, it is; we have it written, just needs a once over and uploading!). Promise!