A Time For Change
Disclaimer: Final Fantasy 7 belongs to Square Enix.
Reno had made a phone call to Tifa, asking to meet up somewhere private to talk. Hesitantly she agreed to a meeting spot, a run down diner that was at the edge of town. It received little business so that they'd have enough privacy in a neutral area.
Tifa had arrived first, entering the diner and ordering only coffee. She explained to the waitress that menus were unnecessary, and that she was waiting for someone to meet her there. Quietly the brunette bartender sipped her coffee, shoving creamer and sugar in the liquid before drinking it. She never liked the bitterness of coffee on its own, preferring to have it sweet in flavor.
So much had gone wrong. Between the rape and getting gonorrhea, to winding up pregnant and telling Reno. They had been excited, looking forward to their little arrival, and she just had to fall down those fucking stairs! Miscarrying was one of the saddest things that had ever happened to her. They both were down about the incident, but her fiery red head had dealt with his grief in a horrible way. Getting upset and moody with Tifa, obsessing over her meeting she had planned with Shinra before the accident. Then, when she'd decided that it might be beneficial for them to take a break, he'd gone overboard. When she meant a break, she hadn't said "lets call it quits".
It was a shitty feeling, seeing the man you love partaking in seedy pleasure by having a lap dance. His inhibitions cast aside as those whores paraded around him. It had driven her mad, made her act out in ways she'd never imagined. Flashing the whole club, trying boldly to make a point to the drunken fool Reno had been. Then coming to blows with a slut that dared to taunt her by placing her slimy hands on Renos crotch. Momma bear Tifa had overridden her mind, taking matters into her own hands and tackling the whore to the ground.
After the fact, she felt embarrassed with her actions. Blaming Reno for her reactions to his blatant 'I don't give a damn' attitude. They had a lot of things to talk about, and honestly, Tifa didn't know how things would end this evening. Her heart was angry and hurt still, that man had better have a damn good explanation for that nasty night.
"Tifa?" Her name was used, the brunettes eyes lifting up to see a familiar face standing next to the booth she was seated at. Her hand gestured across from her, wanting him to sit directly in front of her.
Renos eyes held nervousness as he silently sank into the booth, his hands resting atop the table. The waitress came by to ask if he was thirsty, the red head asked for coffee. They waited until Reno was served his beverage before starting any conversation.
"It took you a while to call." Tifa spoke after they both had sipped coffee in silence for a few moments.
"I had things to sort through." He commented, setting down his drink and focusing on Tifa completely.
"I don't know if you'll believe me or not, but I tried leaving that place. Rude and I had been dragged there assuming it was another bar, and found out what it really was only when we exited the car." He began, his hands holding still against the table top.
"I started noticing my body was acting strangely, my limbs were going numb. I tried getting Rude to help but I think he'd been more effected than me, so I tried getting up but kept getting tugged down. I think we might have been drugged at the last bar before we got to the last club."
Tifa held a blank look, trying hard to be neutral as she listen yet found her mouth laughing mockingly at his last comment.
"Do you honestly think, that I'm about to believe you were roofied? Try again, Reno." She spoke cooly towards the man in front of her, unimpressed thus far with his story.
"I'm being honest here, Tifa. I'd never in a million years do something this dumb if it meant I might lose you because of it. I felt that this whole break thing was you trying to gently let me go already, I wouldn't move things faster and push you into breaking up with me when I was already freaking out about it. Please, just have a little faith in me here!"
"Don't you think I want to believe you? That I rather have your story all be truthful? But how can I, Reno? You weren't exactly very kind in our last argument. Pretty much calling me stupid and borderline hoe for inviting Shinra over."
"I was angry, Tifa. Our baby had just recently died and I wasn't behaving rationally. But right now, I'm very rational and sober, and I don't want you to leave me. I need you in my life, Tifa. I don't want to go to sleep again and not feel your body there, the smell of your perfume on my pillow. I love you, and don't want to lose what we have." Reno was pouring his heart out for her, his hands attempted to reach out for her own.
Tifa let him hold her hands, watching uncertainly as Reno gazed at her with such emotion in his face.
"I loved you too, Reno. I just don't know how much heartache I can handle anymore. We're still at an impasse with your job, I honestly don't want to see you hurt anymore from it." She confided with him, the red head trying hard not to frown at her words.
"You were right, I should have been worried about you even before the baby. Well now I am. I don't want to worry about you dying in the line of duty."
"I've been a body guard for a long time, Tifa. You're asking a lot from me. I worry about you getting hurt by customers at your job, you don't see me telling you to quit." He tried explaining his view, watching unhappily as Tifa removed her hands from his.
"I don't ask cause I know you love it. You shine like a star in that bar, making your drinks and serving them with a sparkling smile. You love it, even with its risks. Just as I deep down enjoy my profession. I may come home sometimes with bruises and scars, but it's exciting. I don't waste away at a desk job, never leaving my seat all day doing meaningless paperwork. That's not me, and it's not going to be me." He spoke clearly, watching her face pale, her eyes holding back emotion.
They sat quietly for a while, Tifa fiddling with her coffee, no longer looking at the red head. Reno kept his gaze on her, worried about where her mind was currently.
"I suppose this meeting settles it then. I'm sorry, Reno. I love you, more than I should apparently. I can't wait around for the day you fall over dead from a gunshot wound, always wondering if you'll be coming home that day. I don't want to live that way." She stood from her seat, looking down at her feet, unable to look at him.
"Tifa, don't do this." Reno pleaded, his hand reaching out and griping her arm.
"I'm sorry." Tifa choked out, removing his touch forcefully and lifting her face to gaze at him. Her eyes were red rimmed, tears were being forced back as she smiled sadly at him. "There'll never be another man like you, Reno." She spoke, her words choked up, "No one will own my heart the way you do." She seemed to be promising him, her body starting to shake as she turned from him. Her steps quick as she headed for the exit.
Reno sat, shell-shocked at how everything had spiraled down. Watching with unbelieving eyes as the only woman he had ever truly loved walked away from him.
-0-0-
A week had passed since Tifa and Renos break up, the woman had given her renters final notice so that she could move back into her old home. She was still sleeping at Rinoas house. The two women going over to Renos home only when he wasn't there. Her heart couldn't bear seeing him or hearing him trying to call her back to him.
The large, barren earth mark in the front lawn had been noticed, Tifa coming to the conclusion that Reno had started a bonfire. All the baby stuff was gone, clueing in the woman that her boyfriend had gotten rid of the expensive items. She supposed it was lucky he hadn't burnt her own items in a fit of rage. Methodically she went about her packing, having Rinoa there for support as she boxed up her many items. Some things were harder to designate as her own, like certain DVDs they had purchased as a couple. Who had rights to those kind of items? It was hard, trying to sort out what was morally right to take with her.
Tifa and Rinoa were taking a break from packing, sitting outside and sipping ice tea with one another. Tifas phone started ringing, the brunette standing up as she answered it.
"Hello, Miss Tifa. Rufus Shinra here. I'm just calling to see how you've been." His voice spoke friendly into her ear.
"Mr. Shinra, hello. I've been better I'm afraid. Reno and I just recently broke up and I'm currently packing all my things." She explained her situation, receiving a understanding tone from the man.
"Break ups are hard, I'm sorry to hear you're no longer together. Do you happen to need any assistance with moving any heavy boxes? I'd be glad to lend a helping hand." He offered.
"Thank you, but I don't want to bother you or your hired men. I'm sure my girlfriend and I can handle things." Tifa tried politely declining, receiving a 'pish-posh' from the insistent man.
"I'll be right over. A woman with such a delicate body doesn't need to lift so many heavy boxes. Help is on the way, my dear." He informed her, saying a quick farewell before ending the phone call.
"Who was it?" Rinoa called to her friend.
"Rufus Shinra, he's on his way to help move boxes." Tifa spoke the words, still surprised at the mans kind willingness to drop everything and assist her.
-0-0-
Yuffies little feet were suspended in the air, stirrups holding them awkwardly in place. She was getting a procedure done, her lower half had been exposed and ready for the doctor. She had spent thirty minutes in there, feeling the odd instrument her physician held sucking at things inside her. Her legs were starting to fall asleep from staying still so long, she didn't think this type of procedure should be taking forever! Finally, the doctor let out a sigh as he set down the tool in his trained hands.
"Everything okay?" She asked, noticing the doctors face wrinkle in concern.
"It's the strangest thing, for some reason I have yet to figure out, your walls won't crumble and let my tool vacuum out the fetus. This has never happened before." He kept frowning, his eyes distant as if in deep thought.
Yuffie, shortly after, was taken back to the waiting room fully dressed, to her awaiting companion. Vincent escorted her out of clinic, assuming her silence was due to the procedure of having her condition taken care of. She hadn't made mention yet that the doctor was unable to remove her growing little one.
Yuffie was afraid. Afraid that Vincent would be angry with her, afraid that she was doomed to carry a baby full term when she never wanted it. She kept silent the entire drive home, Vincent had wanted to hit the shooting range that day. With her current mood, he suggested Yuffie take a short rest before heading out for target practice.
-0-0-
Shinra was a man of his word. He showed up to the house his red headed guard owned, and met up with the down trodden looking woman of his dreams.
He came only with two guards, insisting they stay up outside next to the cars as Shinra personally helped his packing lady. Wanting to put on a good show, he got his hands busy helping Tifa carry boxes out to her awaiting vehicle. Her friend was there too, packing more boxes and taping them shut.
Rufus was working up a bit of a sweat, taking off his suit jacket to feel less stuffy. He hoped Tifa was admiring his toned body as he dutifully carried heavier items out of the house. By being so hands on, he thought maybe his now single fantasy girl would find his actions admirable enough for a possible date. He would play it cool though, Rufus needed to be 'sensitive to her needs' during this situation. Willing to wait for the moment she was ripe for the rebound picking.
-0-0-
At the end of the day, all her things were packed and inside her car now. Shinra had been a very big help, insistent his hired hands stand down while he handled boxes personally. He was kind to her, not a single pick up line was used during their time together. Hopefully that meant he was truly being sincere in his friendly actions. Tifa no longer felt obligated to keep Shinra at arms length. He had not once treated her poorly, always a gentleman when near her.
Tifa gave him a friendly hug before she departed, thanking him for his assistance.
"I'm your friend, Tifa. If you need help or just an open ear to talk to, please don't hesitate to call." He had smiled at her softly, taking out a card with his personal cell phone number on it. That way she could reach him beyond the office.
Tifa gratefully took the card, placing it in her jean pocket before saying a final farewell. The two girlfriends had driven along in silence before Rinoa decided to speak her mind.
"That man likes you, Tifa." Her friend stated the obvious. "Isn't he Renos boss?"
Tifa sighed, uncertain how to handle this topic of conversation.
"Yes, he's Renos boss. I know he probably has a tiny crush, but he's been nothing but polite. Did you see him hitting on me throughout the day? No, and I'm tired of being told that I shouldn't associate myself with him." Tifa made her thoughts known, fed up with being told not to hang around Rufus Shinra. She was an adult, who had the ability to make her own damn decisions!
"I take it Reno saw right through that guys act." Rinoa remarked, getting a hot look from her companion.
"Rinoa, please. I don't want you to start babying me like Reno did over that harmless man. The minute he's no longer nice towards me, then I'll have a reason to hold him at arms length. Till then, I see nothing wrong with chatting to him from time to time."
Rinoa shrugged her shoulders, turning her gaze to the passing terrain outside the window.
"You're not stupid, Tifa. You'll know when you're being played. Just be careful, guys are going to try getting you on the rebound, and that's a fact." Rinoa informed the lightly agitated lady at the wheel.
-0-0-
"You wanted to see me, sir?" Reno inquired, entering the dimly lit office of his employer.
"Take a seat, Reno. I have something to discuss with you." The suave man watched as the guard took a seat in front of the mans desk.
"How long have you been working for me?" Rufus asked, his hands steepled in an evil overlord fashion.
"Almost six years." The red head answered his boss, wondering where this was going.
"Six years of service. And you've done your job well. But I'm afraid all that's about to change, you see. I'm going to have a lady around me that doesn't wish to see your face anytime soon. To make her discomfort go away, I have to take action. You're fired, Reno. At the end of the day I want all your stuff gone." He smirked at the heated looking face of Reno.
"Tifa will never be with you, you're a monster! She'll see what you are and come to her senses!" Reno barked out his words, standing as he did so.
"Monster am I? Funny, when you're the one who drove her away. I didn't even have to lift a finger, you fucked up all on your own." Rufus chuckled, standing as well.
"Bastard!" Reno cursed, slamming a fist against his employers desk.
"Such a negative word towards the man who's not just outright killing you. You think I wouldn't enjoy having your ugly head on a plate? Yet no, I've restrained myself for Tifas sake. I let you keep breathing for her, I know deep down she possibly still carries a fondness towards you. Wouldn't want my pretty little lamb upset with your death." Rufus held a twisted look on his mug, walking around his desk towards Reno.
"Tifas mine for the taking, Reno, you lose." The blonde man began to laugh at the shaking body of Reno.
Like a cheetah the red head swiped out towards the evil man, pushing Rufus against the wall and pinning him there.
"You touch a hair on her head, and I'll end you." Reno swore, his eyes held untold fury while his hand tightened aggressively around Shinras throat.
As quick as he grabbed him, the red head dropped his hold. The powerful man falling to the floor, gasping for breath. Reno turned on his heel and left the downed man hurriedly. He had a few things to grab before leaving this fucked up place.
-0-0-
Vincent was readying his assortment of guns and ammo for their training when he heard the doorbell ring. A pistol at his hip, the investigator trudged towards the front door. It took him greatly off guard when he answered it, the visitor not a typical guest to Vincent's home.
"What are you doing here?" The raven haired man asked, eyeing the acquaintance thoroughly.
"I need your help, you're the only guy I could come to who'd be able to do it." The guest spoke, determination in his voice.
"Help you do what?"
"Take down Rufus Shinra and expose him for what he really is; a crooked, evil fucker." The man held up a flash drive in his hand. "I've got all the information we'll need."
"Reno, I don't know if I can. I have my own case to worry about." Vincent spoke his uncertainly.
"Then I'll help you with yours, if you'll help me with mine." Reno offered, "I'm out of a job anyway, you need another hand around here?"
Vincent took a moment to consider, his mind made up rather quickly. "Come inside, we've got a lot of work to do."
-0-0-
A/N: Don't freak out, this is still a Reno/Tifa pairing! They just have a few things to learn on their own before they reconnect. Till then we are headed into some heavy shit! Renos fired, pissed off and ready to help Vincent if it means the P.I. can assist in taking down Shinra. Tifas headed down an interesting road as well, she'll find out what it's like playing with fire...Shinra and Tifa are going to start interacting more, but as I said, end game is truly Reno/Tifa. So try not to be too upset as you read about Shinra moving in on Tifa.