Okay. The Muse must yet again apologize for taking so darned long to get this written and posted. She's been super busy with farm work lately, as well as just plain lazy in general, and that leaves little time for fan fiction. The good news is, she's got the garden and stuff planted, weeded, watered, and ready to go for the season. Even better news - she can now spend her free time (a whole whopping three hours a week) writing more fun fan fiction for ya'll to enjoy. : ) That said (not that anyone really cares too much) :P I want to say thank you everyone for being patient with me and hopefully we can get this fic moving again in a more timely manner! Enjoy this short chapter that was written on the fly folks and hopefully you wont have to wait that long again for an update.

Chapter Twenty Five – Standing Watch

Forget the proverbial chicken coop. I've been thrown into a den of rattlesnakes. Every shadow beyond the blinds of the window could be a sniper waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike. Every creak of the boards could be a soldier ready to ambush us. For two long days it's been like this around here.

Not that I should be the one unnerved too much by the circumstances. It is a well known fact that former watchdogs have such tough hides that a few rattlers on the premises really don't mean all that much anymore. Should one of Scarlet's men bite, I'll simply bite back. It's common logic really. The only problem is that whatever logic I once had even a fraction of some pull over has gone out the window along with any and all hopes of getting out of this situation alive.

It's as though Tseng is trying to drive me back across the fence even though he knows the very concept is impossible. I just don't fit into that world anymore. I'm not certain that I ever did. And yet, here I am, wearing my old uniform, doing my old job, obedient as I've always been. I hate this. I really do.

I kidnapped a child. There are few things lower than that.

I kidnapped her to protect her, I try to convince myself. I did this to protect her. I may be the only one who can protect her from Scarlet and Shinra. A washed up, disobedient, useless watchdog. That's all I am. And yet, at this very second, I am charged with defending the most important bargaining chips in the world.

"You're still up?"

I glance away from the laptop's screen to acknowledge the presence of Elmyra wandering around my apartment with this hint of well gravitated uneasiness about her. "I always work late like this."

She remains silent for a few seconds before finally deciding to take a seat at the table I've declared as my desk for the time being. "What do you intend on doing to us?"

"I don't know." And for once, it is the truth. I really don't know what Tseng wanted the child currently curled up and sleeping on the couch for. I'm even less certain of what he will do to Elmyra when he discovers that I've gone ahead and taken her hostage as well.

"I've never seen you around before." Is all she says, no doubt trying to get over her uneasiness at being in such close proximity of a deadly albeit former Turk.

I've damn near scared the poor woman half to death already with my reckless actions and ability to establish myself as a rather capable Turk with a vendetta to settle. It's none of her concern that this particular vendetta is directly against Shinra Corporation and not her and the innocent little girl we've kidnapped.

With a sigh, I click the laptop closed. "There are quite a few of us you've never met. For the most part, if we are not needed in Sector Five, we stay out of it altogether."

"Who was that woman we were running from?"

She asks too many questions.

"If you must know, her name is Scarlet, head of Weapons Research. I'd tell you a few more appropriate names to call her by, but there is a child present. All you need to know is that she has neither Marlene's nor your own best interests in mind."

"And the Turks do?"

With the amount of times this woman has been lied to and harassed by the Turks, I kind of sympathize with her about not trusting us. After all, Tseng hunting Aerith had to do quite the number on her nerves over the years. I wander over to the kitchen and put the teakettle on. I cannot effectively protect them if they do not trust me even a fraction of a little bit.

"Listen, at the moment, that witch of a woman has the military combing this city from top to bottom for that child. I don't know the specifics of why, though I might have an idea, but I do know that if she gets either one of you, she will torture and kill you in manners you cannot even begin to imagine. You don't have a choice but to trust us in the matter."

It's the truth. I do not even want to imagine a child in Scarlet's grasp. I can see why Tseng might have given me this assignment. If his goal was to motivate me to try a little bit harder, he's doing a damn good job.

Elmyra looks at me as I pour the water into two small mugs and place the teabags in each. I place the cup upon the table and take my seat across from her, noticing that she keeps looking at Rekka where it sits by the door within easy reach should I need it.

"Have you-" she averts her eyes fearfully as her voice drops to a whisper. "Killed anyone?"

"Yes." I sip the tea, finding it more bitter than usual. "It's what I've been trained to do."

What I've been trained to do. The words sting. Shinra made me into a trained killing machine and look where it got me. Elmyra appears unphased by the answer.

"Marlene seems to have taken a shine to you."

"She's an intelligent child," I reply, not really feeling up to the details. "She doesn't understand the situation though. About her father's involvement with Scarlet-"

The PHS shrills, startling me and almost making me drop the cup of tea all over the laptop. It's two in the morning. What possibly be could- I recognize the number before I can finish the thought. On no.

"I gotta take this." I retrieve the phone and head out into the hallway for some privacy.

"Cissnei." Tseng's voice sounds haggard, as usual. No doubt Scarlet is driving him up a wall and then some over the latest fiasco. And judging by the fact that Reeve's been missing in action since we arrived here, I'd say she's after everyone she can get her claws on. "I need the girl."

"What do you want with her?" I dare to inquire, that dangerous confidence that branded me as the fox taking control. Of all times Jessie decides to finally grow a backbone she has to do it tonight.

"Don't get smart with me," he warns. "Reeve explained what happened. You cut it close this time."

"Well it wasn't as though I had much of a choice now did I? You never told me there was a verbal truce in affect that specifically stated we wouldn't be kidnapping that child because of Aerith. We were fortunate to get as far as we did given the circumstances."

"We'll deal with it as soon as the opportunity arises. Now. As for the child-"

"Wait a second Tseng," I cannot help but feel as though I am about to tussle with the head watchdog yet again in a fight I really don't need tonight. "What do you intend on doing to her."

"That is none of your concern."

"It is every bit my concern."

He sighs, no doubt irritated with my prying inquiries. It is my right to know what becomes of the hostages I was forced to take against my will. I think he owes me at least that much.

"It involves AVALANCHE. They've strayed from the path and it is time we give them a gentle reminder of who they are dealing with. I'll be there in half of an hour with Reeve."

I'm not liking his tone too much. He's going to use her to teach AVALANCHE a lesson. That is definitely something that does not sit well with either Cissnei or Jessie. You employ Turks to do that, not children.

"Tseng-"

"Do not make me have to remind you who you work for Cissnei. The more cooperative you are regarding the situation, the better off everyone will be."

I flip the PHS closed and lean against the wall. I have a bad feeling about this.