Chapter 10
Elena was walking through the halls of the Shinra building, on her way back from lunch with Reno. Reno had gone out to find some information for an up coming mission, so Elena entered the office alone. Tseng was also sitting in there alone, and looked up when she entered.
"Good news." He said, standing up. "You're back with me."
"What! Why?" Elena burst out, causing Tseng to raise an eyebrow.
"I saw Reno this morning, you cleaned him up good." Tseng explained. "You got him to come in early too. Should that continue, I see no reason why you should have to continue to suffer as his partner. I sent Rude out of give him the good news."
"I... uh." Elena began, thinking quickly. "I don't think Reno is ready sir. He's still as useless as ever, I think that with a little more time..."
"Let's be honest." Tseng said, walking over to Elena. "There's no one I'd rather work with than you." As he said this, he placed his hand on her arm.
"Oh, um, well..." Elena stuttered, not knowing what to say.
"You don't have to say anything." Tseng said, leaning forward to kiss her. Panicking, Elena pulled away.
"No." Elena said, disgusted. "That is so unprofessional." She then turned and quickly left the office, leaving Tseng standing there, dumbfounded.
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Meanwhile, miles away, Reno ran through the back alleys of Midgar, hot on the heals of the young man whom he wished to talk to. Reno hated the way the guy always ran, they both knew how it would end in the long run. Sure enough, only moments later, Reno tackled the youth's legs, sending them both to the ground.
"Get off me man!" The teen cried. Reno climbed to his feet, and grabbed the teen by the collar, pulling him to his as well.
"Why do you always run, you know I always catch you." Reno said, annoyed but smirking.
"Whatever man, what do you want this time?" The teen said, wiping himself off.
"I want a ring, something cheep but fancy." Reno said.
"What, you getting married or something?"
"No, just a present, something that shows how I feel. What do you say, can you hook me up?"
"Yeah, for twenty thousand Gil, I'll hook you up."
"Good." Reno said, fishing out the money. "What you got."
"Well, it's not the best, but it's a diamond." The teen answered, reaching into his pocket. He pulled out a ring, showing it to Reno.
"Perfect." Reno said, snatching it. "Take you're money." Reno said, tossing the money clip to the kid, and walking away.
"Hey man! This is only ten grand!"
"Take it up with Shinra, how I bought your stolen ring." Reno taunted, leaving the alley. He was surprised when he found Rude waiting for him. "Rude? What are you going here?" he asked, confused.