Disclaimer: I do not own FF7, it's characters, or anything dealing with Square Enix. This is a work of literary fiction and I do not gain anything from it other than personal pleasure.
A/N: Wow, so... the Keela and Rude thing kinda snuck in there on me... Oh well, it works. Hope you enjoy this one...
Keela let out a laugh, as they walked in the door of the apartment. Rude, Reno and Angeal, were all passed out in various spots around the living room. Keela let Yume wake up Angeal and lead him into their room. She then walked over to the long couch and slapped Rude upside his head. He woke up with a jolt.
"What the hell, Kee?" He mumbled.
She smiled back at him, "I don't care if you crash here, but you know the rules, take your shit off. I'll get you a blanket."
"You seem in relatively good spirits. How'd it go?" He said, sitting up.
"Gods, Ru. I missed it so much, I didn't even realize it. Being there, doing what I love, it was absolutely perfect. Yume helped." She said, smiling.
"Wow. Do I sense a tinge of pride?" He joked.
Laughing, She nodded, "Yeah. We mesh together really well. Nothing like Tseng and I, of course. But it was pretty awesome. So, was Reno pissed that I stole his reward?"
Rude laughed, "Nah, you know Reno. He got Tseng to agree to let him watch the security footage, instead."
Keela nodded, "I see. Didn't you say he wouldn't watch the one Tseng showed him before?"
Rude nodded.
"Then I'm not too worried, I doubt he'll make it five minutes. He's a pussy, but I love him." She grinned.
Rude raised an eyebrow. "Pussy, huh? Don't let him hear you say that."
Keela laughed, "You know what I mean. He's tough, perhaps not as tough as you, but still tough. I can't blame him, I can see where he's coming from. Most people can't watch me work, I can only imagine how much worse it is for him. I mean, I'm his wife, the mother of his children. Knowing what I can do is one thing, but seeing it can be a bit much, I'll admit. I'm surprised I didn't scare off Yume. So, what happened after I left?"
Rude smiled, "Uh, not much. Yuffie ended up being dragged upstairs by Valentine, guess he couldn't take the crotch rubbing any longer. Cloud calmed down, saying he was too drunk to discuss things that complex. He expects a phone call tomorrow though. Um, Rufus was pretty far gone, so Tseng took him home right after you left. Reno and Cloud ended up hugging it out, bottles still in their hands. Once the 'I love you, man's' began, I hailed a cab and we all came back here."
Keela smiled at what Rude had said, but then she got quiet. She took one look at Rude, leaned in and kissed him on the cheek.
"What was that for?" He asked.
"Just felt like letting you know how much I love you." She said, shyly.
Rude looked at her, and nudged her a little with his shoulder. "I love you too, brat. And I'm proud of you. I know you already know that, but I feel like I don't say it enough." He put his arm around her and brought her to recline on the couch with him. He looked over at Reno, and sighed, "What are we going to do with him? Look at him, all cute and curled up like that. Shit, the only thing that's missing is his thumb in his mouth."
Keela slapped his arm lightly, "You are so mean. I suppose I should wake him up." She said, as she got up off the couch.
Rude stopped her, "Leave him sleep, I can carry him. Not like I haven't done it before." He chuckled.
Before walking over to his partner, he grabbed Keela in a tight hug. He kissed the top of her head, before saying, "I really am proud of you, Kee. TURK or not, it took a lot of guts to confront that animal. I'm also proud of you for getting back on the horse, and coming back to work. Don't ever tell Reno I said that, though. I know it was bad before, but I'm confident that you are attuned to your power enough now, that nothing like that will happen again. But if it does, this time, I'll be there to help you. So will Reno. And from what I've seen... I'm sure Angeal and Yume would as well. You have support now that you didn't before. Don't worry about it, you'll do fine."
Keela smiled, shyly, "Was it that obvious?"
He smiled back, "No. But you forget who you are talking to. I may not have inherited the magic gene, but I've always known when shit is bothering you. And I always will, that's my role as big brother. And trust me, I take the term 'big brother is watching', to a whole new level. Even when no one else sees it, I can. It's the whole 'sibling bond' thing, I guess."
Keela looked at him, and started laughing. "No one would believe me, if I told them how much you talk when you drink."
Rude grinned, "Hey, behave or I'll wake Reno up and tell him you kissed me."
"So, you're my brother. It's allowed." She scoffed.
Rude gave her a pointed look, "Drunk Reno, you're gunna try to tell drunk Reno that it's OK to kiss me? Do you not remember the last time that happened?"
She thought for a second, "Oh yeah. After a night of drinking, you decided to go to bed and gave me a kiss on the forehead and told me you loved me. Reno jumped up from the couch and tried to attack you. He thought you were hitting on me."
"Yeah, I believe his exact words were... 'She's mine, yo. Hands off.' Didn't matter who I was, he was going to defend your honor." He said.
Keela got quiet again. She looked at her sleeping husband and said, "He misses you, ya know."
"What do you mean? I see him damn near every day." He scoffed.
"Doesn't matter, it's not the same. He misses you living here, I can tell." She added.
"Kee, he whined all the time about how there was never any privacy." He stated.
"Anthony James, you know better than anyone, that with Reno, you have to read between the lines." She said.
Rude nodded, "Well, I miss the little manwhore, too. Never a dull moment when he's around. Shall we?" He asked, as he picked up his partner, cradling him in his arms.
Keela nodded and followed him to the master bedroom, where he helped Keela get Reno undressed and into bed. Keela grabbed a pillow and blanket from the closet and handed them to Rude. After, they headed back out to the living room.
"I need to have a serious talk with Reno. Well, as serious as any talk with him can be." She said.
"Oh? About what?" Rude asked.
She sighed a bit, "This place. We've outgrown it. I kind of like the idea of getting a house. One that's big enough for all of us. Reno isn't the only one that misses you, Ru. Dreya and I do too. Maybe it's all these stupid hormones, but I'd love for everyone, Angeal, Yume and you, to be in one place all together. It's not like we couldn't afford it, I mean three TURK salaries, it'd be ridiculous. But, as much as I'd love it, I have to think of everyone else. I can't force everyone to live together, I mean, you all have your own lives."
"Kee, being an uncle to your offspring is the only life I have, apart from being a TURK. If you and Reno decide it's what you want, I'd love to have us all under one roof again." He smiled.
She smiled back, "Thank you. It was just a thought, but it's good to know I have backup." After giving him another hug, she left him to settle in, and went to turn in as well.
~! #$%^&*
The sound of Reno's phone ringing, woke Keela up. She reached over her husband and picked up the phone.
"Reno's phone." She answered. She glanced at the clock, 1:37, she'd only been asleep for about two and a half hours.
"Ah, yes. This is Sargent Ebbery, of the Edge Metropolitan Police Department. May I please speak to Reno of the TURKS?" The man said.
"He's not available right now, may I ask what this is about?" She said, in an authoritative tone.
"I'm sorry Ma'am, but I can only discuss this with a high- ranking TURK official, as it involves two of it's members." He said, firmly.
"I assure you, Sargent, I am high- ranking. My name is Akeela, I share the position of Second with Reno. Now, what is this about?" She demanded, getting irritated.
"Well," He said, a bit uneasy, "We have two TURKS in custody. They were arrested about an hour ago, and I need someone to come get them"
"I see. Alright, I will be there shortly, Sargent. And don't worry, I will bring my credentials with me. I assure you, you will not get into any trouble." She said. He muttered a 'Thank you', and hung up.
She was irritated, to say the least. She hated this part of her job, because it meant that the TURKS in question, had been sloppy. And sloppy was something that she despised. The most frustrating part, was that she wasn't supposed to start, officially, until Monday. But, she knew it was stupid to get upset by it, it wasn't Reno's fault that he was indisposed. OK, it was, but he couldn't control that it happened the same night the TURKS were arrested.
With a sigh, and a self- reminder that as a Second it was part of her responsibilities, she got out of bed and got dressed. She walked to the living room, not worrying if she made noise, as most of the other occupants were in a semi- comatose state. Most of them...
She was double checking that she had her badge, when a voice behind her asked, "Running away?"
Keela laughed a little and turned around, "No, unfortunately. Although if this night doesn't end soon, I may be tempted to do just that. What about you, 'Geal, are you flying the coop?"
Angeal smiled, "No. I was coming from the bathroom and I heard you out here."
She nodded, "Ah. Well, sorry about that, didn't think anyone would be awake. And as much as I'd love to stay and chat, I have to go down to the Police Station."
"Oh? Mind if I ask what for?" He asked, curiously.
"Reno's passed out, and the Police would rather shoot themselves, than call Tseng. So, I get to deal with the TURKS they arrested. New recruits, no doubt. The only plus side is that I get to unleash the 'Wrath of Keela' on them." She sighed.
Angeal raised an eyebrow. "Wrath of Keela? Oh, this I've got to see."
"Whatever, the 'Wrath' waits for no man... slash, Angel... hybrid... thing. So, if you're coming, you better hurry or I'm leaving your ass here." She said, smiling. Angeal laughed, but quickly got ready, and they were on their way.
~! #$%^&*
They walked into the station, and Keela flashed her TURK ID to the officer at the front desk.
"Keela of the TURKS, here to pick up two detainees." She said, in a hard tone.
The female officer was about to speak when she was interrupted by another, much larger, male officer.
"I'm Sargent Ebbery, we spoke on the phone. Keela, is it?" He said.
Keela looked at the man for a second. He was shorter than her, blonde, and a little older than she was. Also, his stomach was starting to protrude over the waistline of his pants.
"Yes." She said finally. She smiled, and showed him her badge. "Here are my credentials, as promised. I'm sorry if my TURKS gave you any trouble, what is it they did anyway?"
After taking a quick look at her badge, he handed it back to her. He hesitated to answer, when he saw Angeal behind her. She noticed, and smiled politely. "Don't worry, he's with me."
The Sargent nodded, "They were arrested for attempted murder. If you will come with me, I'm sure we can clear this up." He then turned, and headed towards the holding cells.
Angeal walked close to Keela, as they followed him. "How exactly do you 'clear up' an attempted murder charge?" He whispered.
Keela smiled softly, "You don't, usually. But, unless ShinRa says otherwise, charges are never brought up. They are all off- the- book arrests. We take care of punishment, in house, so to speak. I guess you could call it, 'the perks of being a TURK', but it's not like they get off scott- free."
"OK... then what do they get?" He asked, slowly.
Keela grinned, "Don't you remember what I said? I wasn't joking when I spoke of unleashing my Wrath, I take this part of my job, very seriously. Just watch and learn, absorb my wisdom. You might learn something." She teased.
But just then they arrived at a holding cell. Keela's smile faded, as she looked through the small window in the door. Angeal almost felt the change, she was 'Keela of the TURKS' now. She might not have on the uniform, but she reeked of authority.
The Sargent was silent, as he unlocked the cell door. With a nod, he walked off in the opposite direction, leaving Angeal a bit confused. He was about to ask Keela a question, when she opened the door and he remembered her advice to 'watch and learn'.
The two TURKS they had came here for, were relaxing on the far bench, when they walked in.
"Get up." Keela said, darkly.
The man on the right stood up, but the one on the left stayed seated. "Lady, I'm a TURK. I don't have to do anything you say." He said, extremely cocky.
She stared at him, "I beg to differ, being a TURK, you have to do everything I say."
"Oh yeah? And why is that, hot stuff? Ya gunna spank me if I don't? Or is that why you brought the big guy... He gunna do it for you?" He retorted.
Keela ignored him, and turned to the other man. "You, TURK, what is your name?"
"Micheal, Ma'am." He answered.
"Alright, Micheal of the TURKS, why did you stand up?" She asked.
"You have a TURK ID, Ma'am." Micheal stated.
"Yes, I do." Keela said coldly, as she slowly walked up to the other man. Before he realized it, she had lifted him to a near standing position, by his throat. "The next time you disobey an order, TURK, you will find out firsthand why I was appointed as a Second. Meanwhile, you had better hope that Reno doesn't hear what you just called me." She said in a dark voice.
"Why would he care?" He said, gasping for air.
"I'm his wife." She whispered in an icy voice, before she dropped him back onto the bench. "Now, get up."
The TURK scrambled to his feet, but rubbed his throat as he stood there silently.
"Name." She questioned, without looking at him.
"Ian of the TURKS, Ma'am" He choked out.
"One of you, explain to me why I am here." Keela ordered, as she resumed her place in the middle of the room.
Micheal spoke up, but he was looking at Ian. "We were sent to eliminate a possible threat, but the mission failed, Ma'am."
Keela folded her arms, getting irritated. "Look at me, when you speak to me, Micheal."
"Sorry, Ma'am." He said, turning to her.
Keela ignored his apology, "As TURKS, you are expected to be discreet, and to work behind the scenes. Quite obviously, since we are here, that didn't happen."
Micheal began to speak, "Ma'am, it was Ian's..."
"Silence." She hissed. "I do not care, whose fault it was. You are partners, as such, you are both condemned to the same fate. Monday morning, I want both of you to report to my office, at which time we will discuss your future with this company. Understood?"
"Yes, Ma'am." They both replied.
"Dismissed." She said, coldly.
The two TURKS walked cautiously past Angeal, and out the door. After they left, Angeal chuckled, "Wow. You weren't like that when I knew you."
She turned and smiled at him. "Yes, I was. I just never showed it. Tseng always said, I was a force to be reckoned with, but I'm only that way when the occasion calls for it. This time, it called for it. As a TURK commander, I must instill in them how important it is to be unseen. Right now, since no one knows my status in the company yet, the respect isn't there. But, it won't take long. Last time, even though most of the TURKS weren't aware that I was Second, all I had to do was walk in here, and instantly they feared me. They knew I meant business, knew how brutal I could be, I was respected for my seniority alone."
Angeal nodded, completely understanding. At the same time, he was curious, "So, are you going to tell Reno what he said?"
She laughed loudly at him, "As cocky as he was, I should. But, no, I'm not that mean. Just knowing who he insulted, is punishment enough, for now." With that, Keela led Angeal back to the car.
They made good time getting home, which Keela was thankful for. Angeal was yawning as he said goodnight, and Keela was so drained from the day, she didn't even bother undressing. She simply kicked off her shoes, and passed out on top of the covers. In the back of her mind, she knew Reno would question her attire, but she was asleep so fast that she didn't have time to worry about it.